By Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai
Kano
In a desperate attempt to provide a soft landing for the present administration, sponsored blackmailers have once again resurfaced with baseless allegations against the personality of Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai.
It is unfortunate that Madam Sa’adiyyah Adebisi Hassan has chosen to ignore prevailing realities, but the facts remain evident to anyone willing to see. One may argue or attack, but the truth stands firm as an undeniable testament.
I have taken the time to examine these mischievous allegations, and they are not only unfounded but also entirely uncalled for. A careful comparison with El-Rufai’s public record exposes their emptiness.
El-Rufai has consistently given a good account of himself, repeatedly silencing false narratives promoted by those determined to distort his achievements for political reasons best known to them.
It is on record that while serving as Governor of Kaduna State, El-Rufai engaged the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai, in December 2019, stating:
“I don’t think there is any Senatorial Zone in Nigeria that has produced Senior Military Officers and Service Chiefs like the Southern part of Kaduna State. I therefore request that you consider establishing a Command Secondary School in the Southern part of our state to enable the younger ones who have the ambition of joining the military to easily achieve their dreams.”
How then can anyone honestly portray him as an enemy of Southern Kaduna? Such claims are not only misleading but laughable.
What we are witnessing is a familiar political tactic—attempts to drag El-Rufai into the murky waters of religious and ethnic politics. But allegations of this nature will not succeed. Instead, they only highlight his rare qualities: integrity, competence, and result-oriented governance, especially when contrasted with the failures of those seeking to malign him.
If Adebisi truly has claims, she should revisit El-Rufai’s record rather than resort to cheap shots and outright falsehoods. His governance record has never been contentious except among ethnic jingoists and political dark forces.
El-Rufai is an institution—exceptional, bold, and trusted not only in Northern Nigeria but across the country. His courage to speak truth to power has earned him respect as an achiever par excellence.
On the issue of not serving in the Tinubu cabinet, history already tells the story. President Tinubu’s attendance at the Kaduna Economic Summit and the events that followed are matters of public record. Like every Nigerian, El-Rufai has the moral and constitutional right to express opinions or repost articles as he deems fit.
To accuse him of weaponising religion is false. Rather, El-Rufai has consistently exposed incompetence, poor governance, and policies that have set Nigeria back.
Today, poverty, unemployment, inflation, and corruption indices all testify to the failures of the current administration. Meanwhile, insecurity has worsened alarmingly. Since 2024, banditry and armed herdsmen have reportedly destroyed over 30,000 farmlands across Kaduna, Zamfara, and Katsina States.
Kidnappers now raid military barracks, bandits shoot down aircraft, and civilians are forced to pay ransoms daily. This is not governance; it is systemic failure. Using propaganda to mask these realities only insults the intelligence of Nigerians.
As public confidence in the current administration continues to wane, 2027 draws nearer. Nigerians are yearning for change, and leaders of calibre like Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai are increasingly being looked upon to help lead a national renewal, alongside other eminent Nigerians.
Conclusion
The allegations against El-Rufai are baseless and politically motivated. His record speaks louder than propaganda—integrity, competence, and bold leadership define his legacy.
History will judge him not by the noise of detractors but by the tangible impact of his governance.
It is not over until it is over. And when the dust finally settles, El-Rufai’s legacy will stand as a clear example of leadership anchored in truth, courage, and service to the people.
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