…Warns Nigerians against expecting him to pursue office for personal ambition
…Accuses Kaduna Govt of orchestrating ADC meeting attack, promises evidence to police
…Defends track record as governor, emphasises accountability, transparency
By Sodiq Adelakun
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that he would only seek political office if he has concrete solutions to Nigeria’s challenges, stating that ambition has never been his driving force in public service.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, El-Rufai dismissed claims that his political career has been motivated by personal ambition, stressing that he has always prioritised results over personal gain.
“If I feel I have solutions to Nigeria’s problems, can make a meaningful contribution, and I am the best candidate who can win, then I would contest for office. But I don’t think so now,” he said.
He described himself as an unconventional figure in Nigerian politics, insisting that his track record speaks for itself.
“I have never been guided by ambition. I am a person who delivers on difficult tasks. That is why Obasanjo brought me into government, and why Buhari asked me to govern Kaduna State,” he added.
El-Rufai also accused Governor Uba Sani’s administration of orchestrating the violent attack on a meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition in Kaduna. The attack, which occurred on Saturday during the inauguration of an opposition transition committee, reportedly left several participants injured and vehicles damaged.
“It is very stupid for anyone to think I would invite thugs to attack an event of my party,” El-Rufai said.
“The police were present. I don’t know what they are investigating because they knew exactly what happened. They provided cover for the thugs, who were government-sponsored. We know them, and we know the police officers who were there.”
He vowed to submit evidence of the attack to the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police, calling on authorities to take action.
The former governor also responded to criticisms of his administration’s policies in Southern Kaduna, where some residents accused him of discrimination. El-Rufai rejected the claims, asserting that his leadership was guided by fairness and the rule of law.
“Governance is not a joke. When you are governing 10 million people, you cannot discriminate between A and B. Nobody can blackmail me into letting the law slide because of someone’s religion,” he said.
He alleged that certain leaders in Southern Kaduna had been accustomed to undue privileges under past administrations.
“Some entitled Southern Kaduna Christian leaders were used to collecting money every month and even receiving $20,000 annually for medical check-ups. I stopped that. I also stopped funding pilgrimages and many other wasteful expenses,” El-Rufai said.
The former governor defended his administration’s record, insisting that it focused on merit and efficiency. “We empowered competent people regardless of religion or ethnicity. We were never corrupt. We never bribed people, the media, or civil society to praise us. Our work is visible on the ground,” he stated.
He also rejected allegations that his government mismanaged funds, including a claim that 423 billion naira was siphoned from Kaduna State during his tenure.
“The total amount Kaduna State received in eight years was about nine hundred and something billion naira, and a large part of that went to salaries and government expenses. If 423 billion was stolen, how would we have accomplished all we did?” he questioned.
El-Rufai emphasised that he remains committed to integrity and accountability, calling accusations against him baseless. He also criticised his political detractors, saying: “Morally flexible people can do whatever they like. Posterity will judge us. The people of Kaduna will respond clearly in 2027 when elections come. That will settle all this nonsense.”
While ruling out immediate political aspirations, El-Rufai stressed the importance of strengthening party structures over individual ambitions.
