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‎In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political and security landscape, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation and Ambassador-Designate to Germany, has issued an alarming critique of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
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‎In his latest essay titled “More Questions for Nasir El-Rufai,” Fani-Kayode outlines a series of allegations ranging from “bestial” human rights abuses to high-stakes national security threats, including claims of illegal phone tapping and the potential smuggling of lethal chemical agents into the country.
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‎The most severe claim in the report centers on El-Rufai’s recent public allegation that the National Security Advisor (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, imported Thallium Sulphate, a highly toxic, odorless, and colorless poison into Nigeria.
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‎Fani-Kayode dismissed the claim against the NSA as a “false flag” setup.
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He suggested that it might actually be El-Rufai’s associates who have smuggled the substance into Nigeria with the intent to eliminate government officials or civilians, only to blame the Federal Government for the resulting carnage.
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‎”Is it possible that it is actually El-Rufai’s associates that have secretly smuggled in that lethal poison?” Fani-Kayode asked, comparing the potential threat to the 1988 Halabja chemical attack in Iraq.
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‎Fani-Kayode also addressed El-Rufai’s recent public admission on live television that he and his associates had access to the intercepted telephone conversations of the NSA.
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‎The essay questions whether those “tapping phones” for the former governor are foreign intelligence operatives or terrorist elements.
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This follows reports denied by the El-Rufai family that the ICPC recovered sophisticated phone-tapping equipment during a search of his residence.
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Fani-Kayode characterized El-Rufai as a potential “useful idiot” for foreign interests seeking unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria.
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‎The report revisits El-Rufai’s tenure as FCT Minister and Governor of Kaduna State, accusing him of a “chilling” track record of destroying orphanages and homes.
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Fani-Kayode detailed the following:
‎The demolition of an orphanage in Fadama Badan Dodo, Zaria, allegedly carried out at 1:00 AM just hours before he left office in 2023.
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‎The destruction of 2,000 homes and 12,000 shanties in Abuja without compensation during his time as Minister.
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‎The demolition of Shi’ite schools, hospitals, and residences, alongside the alleged persecution of followers of Sheik Dahiru Bauchi.
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‎Fani-Kayode noted that these actions led to public “curses” against the former governor, most notably a march by the women of Kafanchan who stripped in protest against his administration.
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‎The essay further alleges that El-Rufai has turned “savagely” against his successor, Governor Uba Sani, and the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, despite both men reportedly funding his legal defense during his past EFCC trials.
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‎El-Rufai is currently reported to be in detention, where Fani-Kayode claims he recently suffered a nosebleed.
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The essay suggests that El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination was rejected by the Senate not due to a conspiracy, but because of “alarming” security petitions from Christian and Muslim groups in Kaduna.
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‎Fani-Kayode concluded by expressing confidence that the DSS, NIA, and the Office of the NSA would “get to the bottom of this mess.”
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He urged El-Rufai to cooperate with security agencies to exonerate himself from potential links to other figures currently under investigation, including former Attorney General Abubakar Malami (reportedly in DSS custody for terrorism-funding allegations) and Timipre Sylva (reportedly declared wanted).
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‎”The matter has now gone way beyond mere politics,” Fani-Kayode warned. “It is now a major security issue which could endanger the lives of millions.”