By Emameh Gabriel
Malam Nasir El-rufai, former governor of Kaduna State is not resting on his oars to remain relevant in the scheme of things in Kaduna State. He seems determined to continue to assert his influence even when it has become obvious that the people of Kaduna State have moved on and left him in the wilderness, where he now finds solace in the arms of other politically displaced persons.
Few days ago, El-Rufai in his usual manner, issued a stark warning of retribution against those he accused of arresting and detaining his political ally, Bashir Saudi, vowing to settle scores with them by 2027. His menacing statement suggested that the upcoming election would serve as payback against Governor Uba Sani for the arrest and detention Bashir, who was under investigation for alleged money laundering.
El-Rufai’s tone sounded more authoritarian, as though he wielded a special power to dictate the future at his whim. It is one of the most disappointing statements I have read recently from a Nigerian politician, who speaks like a pupil threatening to withhold a chocolate from a classmate for refusing to share a piece of candy with him. This is the classic picture painted by El-rufai’s own expression.
El-Rufai is recklessly charting a dangerous course that threatens to engulf his political legacy, as he becomes increasingly consumed by the bitter frustration of losing his grip on power so swiftly after his exit from office. His inability to reconcile with this reality may well lead to his own undoing as he draws the battle line.
History is replete with tales of great leaders who soared to dizzying heights, only to plummet into obscurity because they refused to heed the voice of wisdom or quit the stage when the ovation was loud. Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military genius who conquered much of Europe was one of such leaders, but ultimately met his waterloo at the battle of Waterloo. Napoleon’s weakness was his inability to know when to sheath his sword. His insatiable thirst for power and conquest led him to wage wars that consumed him.
Today, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, once a colossal force in Kaduna politics, appears to be treading a familiar trajectory. El-Rufai enjoyed a distinguished career in public service, culminating in his appointment as a minister by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. However, his relationship with Obasanjo and the PDP soured over time, leading him to join the coalition that eventually formed the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014.
At the time, his clout within the party, combined with the widespread popularity of Muhammadu Buhari, the APC’s presidential candidate, gave him the all the leverages against every opposition to secure the party’s gubernatorial ticket and ultimately won his elections. Over the course of eight years, El-Rufai governed Kaduna State as though it were his personal fiefdom, stifling dissent and ensuring that no one dared to criticise his administration. Under his rule, Kaduna transformed into a hotbed of various crises, from ethnic tensions to security challenges.
Although El-Rufai left power in 2023, his thirst for influence remains unquenched. He has now embarked on a contentious battle against his successor, who has had the audacity to probe the affairs of his administration. His actions paint a caricature of a man who, despite stepping down from office, is unwilling to let go of the reins of power, clinging to the political stage with tenacity and defiance.
His recent tirades and threats about 2027 are not the calculated moves of a strategist but the desperate flailings of a man who refuses to accept that his time in the sun has passed. When will El-Rufai learn that not every battle requires a sword?
El-Rufai’s frustration is palpable, a simmering cauldron of bitterness and resentment. He is angry, not just because power has eluded him, but because the very institutions and individuals he once manipulated are now turning the tables on him. His government and those who served under him are being investigated, and this has struck a raw nerve.
For a man who once prided himself on being the “smartest person in the room,” this must feel like a humiliating slap in the face. But let us not be fooled by his drama. El-Rufai’s threats about 2027 are nothing more than the last gasps of a drowning man, clutching at the flotsam of his fading relevance. He speaks as if he holds the soul of Kaduna State in his hands, but the truth is, Kaduna has moved on. Those who wield the batton across political parties in the state have decamped to the APC, rallying around Governor Uba Sani to build a better future for the state. El-Rufai’s once mighty empire has crumbled before him, and he is left with nothing but echoes of his own hubris. El-rufai knows his threats about 2027 will not take him anywhere. His political capital has been spent, his alliances fractured, and his credibility in tatters.
The very principles he once wielded like a sword against others have crumbled beneath his feet, revealing a man who thrives only when the winds blow in his favour. Now that the tides have turned and the spotlight of scrutiny shines upon his own administration, he recoils like a cornered predator, gnashing at the system he once deployed with impunity.
Life, as we all know, is a series of battles. Some are worth fighting, while others are better left untouched. At certain point, wisdom demands that we know which battles are worth our energy and which ones will only consume us. For a man of Nasir El-Rufai’s age and experience, this wisdom should come naturally. Yet, it seems he is still entangled in fights driven by vendetta and personal grievances. It is time to step back and ask: Is this truly the legacy he wants to leave behind?
A leader’s role is to build bridges, not to burn them. El-Rufai, once a respected figure in Nigerian politics, now risks being remembered not for his achievements but for his relentless pursuit of personal vendettas. Threatening to burn down bridges and lashing out at every perceived enemy only diminishes his stature. True leadership is about fostering unity, even with those who oppose you. It is about rising above petty conflicts and focusing on the greater good. At this stage in his life, El-Rufai should be a peacemaker, not a provocateur.
Moreover, his actions today will inevitably shape the future of his children, who are upcoming politicians. He shouldn’t be seen creating unnecessary enemies and fostering a culture of hostility, he is setting a dangerous precedent for them. Imagine the burden they will carry, to navigate a political environment filled with people their father alienated. Is this the inheritance he wants to leave for them? A legacy of bitterness and regret? Surely, he must see that his current path is not just damaging to himself but to the next generation as well.
Government comes, government goes, and with each transition, it is an enduring tradition for the incoming administration to scrutinize the records of its predecessor, particularly when circumstances warrant it. If Nasir El-Rufai has nothing to hide, he should wear this investigation as a badge of honour, especially since it is being conducted by his successor and erstwhile ally. Such transparency is the hallmark of a man who walks in the fear of God and upholds the principles of accountability.
He is neither the first nor will he be the last to face such scrutiny. History reminds us that even former President Olusegun Obasanjo, submitted himself to investigation by the EFCC under Nuhu Ribadu, his own appointee. Whether Obasanjo’s claims of innocence held water or not, he stood tall, unflinching, and took pride in the process.
El-Rufai, too, should embrace this moment with grace. Instead of bristling at the probe, he ought to commend Governor Uba Sani for having the courage to initiate it. After all, leadership is not just about wielding power but also about demonstrating integrity when the spotlight turns inward. Anything less would be a disservice to the ideals he once claimed to champion.
Malam should take a moment to reflect on the bigger picture. Life is too short to be spent in endless battles, especially those fueled by vendetta. Moving on and admitting any wrong does not mean admitting defeat; it means choosing peace over chaos, growth over stagnation. He has already made his mark in Nigerian politics. He has been on the stage for more than two decades, and now is the time to transition into a role of mentorship and reconciliator. He would do so to inspire others to rise above petty conflicts and focus on natio building.
In the end, the true measure of a leader is not in the battles they fight but in the bridges they build. El-Rufai has the opportunity to redefine his legacy, not as a man who fought to the bitter end, but as one who chose wisdom over wrath. After all, a wise man knows when to walk away. Malam, it is time to sheathe your sword. A word is enough for the wise.
