Politics
Presidency Accuses El-Rufai of Plot To Destabilise Nigeria, Says Ex-Governor Using ‘Tantrums’ To Escape Corruption Allegations
The federal government said the former governor’s recent actions and public outbursts were driven by two clear motives aimed at destabilising the political atmosphere and projecting himself as a victim of persecution.
Abuja, Nigeria– The Presidency has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El‑Rufai, of deliberately attempting to heat up the polity and mislead Nigerians in order to distract attention from serious corruption allegations hanging over him in his home state.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the federal government said the former governor’s recent actions and public outbursts were driven by two clear motives aimed at destabilising the political atmosphere and projecting himself as a victim of persecution.
According to the Presidency, El-Rufai’s conduct is calculated to stir fear, misinformation and unrest across the country while also shifting public focus away from domestic challenges confronting him in Kaduna State.
“The truth is: Mallam El-Rufai has two clear intentions behind his recent actions and tantrums,” Onanuga said in the statement released Monday.
“One, to create political tension in the country, create an atmosphere of fear and unrest, and then damage the government through deliberate misinformation. Two, to divert attention from his domestic problems in Kaduna State, where he is facing massive corruption allegations.”
The presidential spokesman alleged that the former governor was attempting to draw national sympathy by presenting himself as a target of political persecution, despite what the Presidency described as ongoing corruption controversies in Kaduna State.
“To draw attention to himself and project himself as a victim of persecution, he wants to nationalise his personal problems with his home state government, knowing that Nigerians will not be on his side over corruption charges,” Onanuga added.
The statement signals a deepening rift between the Presidency and the former Kaduna governor, who has in recent times been vocal in his criticism of the current administration and political developments in the country.
According to the Presidency, El-Rufai’s public interventions were not motivated by genuine concern for national stability but were part of a calculated strategy to manipulate public opinion and undermine confidence in the federal government.
