Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that certain political forces are attempting to force him into self-imposed exile through intimidation and threats of arrest.
El-Rufai made this claim in response to a post on X (formerly Twitter), where a user alleged that plans were underway to arrest him upon his return to Nigeria based on what he described as “concocted allegations.”
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai accused unnamed political figures of attempting to use the judicial system to silence him.
“They freaked out when we challenged the legality of the premeditated defamation, and went to every length to compromise the judicial process, and this is continuing at the Court of Appeal,” El-Rufai stated on X on Tuesday.
He further alleged that threats and intimidation have been sent to him through his friends, family, and political associates in an attempt to force him into exile.
However, he vowed to resist such pressures.
“They have sent such similar messages of intimidation and threats through many of my friends, family and political associates because they want me to go on self-imposed exile. I will not.”
El-Rufai emphasized that rather than fleeing the country, he had actually put his academic and language-learning plans on hold to spend more time in Nigeria than ever before.
“Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option.”
He recalled his previous encounters with government authorities, noting that arrests, detention, and political persecution are not new to him.
“The arrest, detention and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs. I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments.”
Despite the threats, El-Rufai revealed his firm intention to return to Nigeria in time for the launch of former President Ibrahim Babangida’s memoirs on February 20, 2025.
“There is always a morning after the arrest or detention or torture, and political life continues. As for death, it is when Allah destines it, and it is ultimately the date of every human.”
Sending a direct message to those he believes are behind the attempts to remove him from the political scene, he declared:
“For the attention of the pathetic characters that don’t sleep well whenever I am in Nigeria, take notice that I intend to return in time for the launch of Pres IBB’s memoirs, in sha Allah, scheduled for 20th February.”
