Tag: Nasir El-Rufai

“El-Rufa’i not a member of our party” – SDP

Aminu Imam
SDP on El Rufai

The Social Democratic Party, (SDP), has disassociated itself from former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i, declaring that the ex-governor has never been a member of the party, nor authorised to represent it in any form. Recall that el‑Rufa’i defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 10, 2025, when he tendered his resignation letter and announced his decision to join the SDP. In the letter, titled: “Onwards to the Future”, el‑Rufa’i explained that although he is a founding member of the APC, recent developments within the party had diverged…

Read More

El-Rufa’i accuses Tinubu of illegal ₦100bn security deductions without FEC approval 

Aminu Imam
El Rufai accuses

…Says action deserves impeachment  Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai has publicly accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of unconstitutionally diverting ₦100 billion every month from the Federation Account for security purposes, without any visible improvement in Nigeria’s deteriorating security landscape. In a blistering interview, El-Rufai—once a political ally of Tinubu—described the secretive deductions as “an impeachable offence,” citing staggering data on nationwide killings and abductions to underline what he called the government’s “complete failure on security”. “For the last 12 to 18 months, ₦100 billion is being deducted every month…

Read More

Tinubu’s criticism:‘Elephantine brain, petite size’: Onanuga revives Obasanjo’s scathing verdict on el-Rufa’i  

Aminu Imam
Onanuga on el Rufa'i

Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has reignited an old political feud by invoking the biting words of former President Olusegun Obasanjo against ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i. Onanuga shared excerpts from Obasanjo’s 2015 memoir My Watch (Volume 2), in what appears to be a calculated response to el-Rufa’i’s recent public criticism of Tinubu’s administration. During a television appearance, el-Rufa’i had claimed that “God saved me from the disaster called Tinubu’s government” and predicted that the president would struggle to place third in the 2027 elections. Responding…

Read More

2027: Atiku, el-Rufa’i, Amaechi call for Tinubu’s ouster

Aminu Imam
Atiku, el Rufa'i, Amaechi call

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, has called for the removal of President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027, citing the government’s alleged weaponisation of poverty. Speaking at a lecture in Abuja to mark Amaechi’s 60th birthday, Atiku said poverty is worsening under Tinubu, accusing the administration of deliberately dismantling state agencies meant to help the poor. Amaechi, who refused to back Tinubu in 2023, said he knew Tinubu lacked the capacity to lead. He criticised the manipulation of voters through ethnicity and…

Read More

Kaduna: Court orders el-Rufa’i to pay ₦900m over rights violation

Aminu Imam
Court orders el Rufai

A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has awarded ₦900 million in damages against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i, and five others for violating the fundamental human rights of Adara elders illegally detained in 2019. The presiding judge, Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, delivered the ruling yesterday, in a suit filed by Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other Southern Kaduna Adara elders. The court ruled that el-Rufa”i personally orchestrated their arbitrary arrest, and is therefore liable for the ₦900 million compensation. The court also awarded ₦10 million in general damages, and…

Read More

2027: Atiku, Obi, el-Rufa’i seal opposition alliance under ADC to challenge Tinubu 

Aminu Imam
Atiku, Obi, el Rufa'i seal alliance

In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party (LP)’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i have finalised a coalition deal aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.  The alliance, months in the making, will operate under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a significant attempt to forge a united opposition platform. The agreement, which was reached during a high-level meeting on Tuesday evening and confirmed publicly by el-Rufa’i during the Arewa TechFest in Katsina…

Read More

Peter Obi, el-Rufa’i meet in US 

Aminu Imam
Peter Obi, el Rufa'i meet

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufa’i and Labour Party (LP)’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, met in the United States on the sidelines of the 11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference (ATC), currently being held at St. John’s College, University of Cambridge. El-Rufa’i was listed as one of the speakers at the conference, which brings together African leaders, scholars, and changemakers. Recall that both men belong to rival political camps. While Obi ran under the Labour Party, (LP) in the last presidential election, el-Rufa’i, who recently defected from the ruling…

Read More

Kaduna: Communities decry uneven use of former Gov. el-Rufa’i’s $350m World Bank loan

Aminu Imam
Kaduna Communities decry

Residents and stakeholders in Kaduna State are raising alarms over the alleged uneven disbursement of a $350 million World Bank loan secured by former governor Nasir el-Rufai’s administration for urban renewal projects. Twelve local government areas – including Birnin-Gwari, Giwa, Kajuru, and Zangon-Kataf – are reportedly yet to benefit from the loan, despite ongoing repayments. Investigations reveal that many projects in these areas were either never started or abandoned after ceremonial flag-offs. Community members and civil society groups accuse the previous government of focusing spending on Kaduna-North LGA, leaving poorer…

Read More

El-Rufa’i endorses Atiku’s past economic policies

Aminu Imam
El Rufa'i endorses Atiku

…Sparks speculation of 2027 alliance Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’I, has praised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s economic policies during his time in office. El-Rufa’i made the remarks during a condolence visit to the family of the  Late pan-Niger Delta Forum leader, Chief Edwin Clark. The former governor acknowledged Atiku’s leadership in shaping economic policies under the Obasanjo administration which was between 1999 and 2007. He said, “Nobody gives Atiku the credit for economic policy making… many of the things we did, we did it under his leadership…but people…

Read More

 El-Rufa’i @65: Nasiriyya group drums support for 2027 presidency

Aminu Imam
IMG 20250216 WA0041

A group, tagged the Nasiriyya Movement, has congratulated the former Kaduna State Governor and FCT Minister, Mal. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on his 65th birthday and drummed their support for his emergence as Nigeria’s President come 2027. North-Central Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Nasiru Abdullahi Soja, said El-Rufai’s birthday is an apt period to commend him because his wisdom , experience and versality stands him out, and coupled with the fact that he has shown his governance card twice. He said Nigerians should see the massive transformation Kaduna State has undergone…

Read More