NSA Ribadu Dismisses El-Rufai’s Allegations, Calls for Public Disregard

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has urged the public to disregard accusations made against him by Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State.

During a televised interview on Arise TV on February 24, el-Rufai alleged that Ribadu was orchestrating a campaign against him as part of a long-term plan to run for the presidency in 2031.

“This project to destroy Nasir el-Rufai is Nuhu Ribadu’s conception,” el-Rufai claimed. “He is the architect and builder of that project. He is working with Uba Sani to implement it. So far, it has been frustrating for them.”

The former governor further accused Ribadu of attempting to tarnish his reputation, alleging that officials were being coerced into implicating him in corruption cases.

In response, Ribadu dismissed el-Rufai’s statements, emphasizing that he has never discussed any presidential ambition for 2031. He stated that he remains fully committed to his current role in the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“If my silence wouldn’t risk being construed as consent, I would have ignored him,” Ribadu said. “I am too preoccupied with my current assignment to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else.”

Despite el-Rufai’s accusations, Ribadu maintained that he has never spoken negatively about his former ally. “This is out of respect for our past association and families. I will not start today,” he asserted.

He urged the public to disregard the claims and called on el-Rufai to allow him to focus on his national security responsibilities.

El-Rufai has faced increasing scrutiny over his tenure as Kaduna State governor. In June 2024, a state assembly ad hoc committee recommended an investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement, citing a potential diversion of public funds amounting to N423 billion. The former governor responded in July by suing the Kaduna State Assembly over the claims.