A former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Akin Osuntokun, has cautioned former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against what he described as “devious transferred aggression” toward the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Osuntokun characterised El-Rufai’s recent public remarks about Ribadu as a “dangerous obsession” without justification.
“What is happening now on the part of El-Rufai is a devious transferred aggression and dangerous obsession with Ribadu,” he said.
Osuntokun alleged that the former governor was attempting to deflect attention from controversies linked to his tenure in Kaduna State. He accused El-Rufai of employing what he termed a “Goebbels-style strategy of muddying the waters” to confuse Nigerians regarding alleged wrongdoing.
Recalling their shared service under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Osuntokun noted that he had known both men closely, having served as Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs during the Obasanjo administration.
He questioned efforts to associate Ribadu with allegations facing El-Rufai.
“For instance, what has Ribadu got to do with a June 2024 report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly accusing his government of mismanaging ₦423.2 billion?” he asked.
Osuntokun pointed out that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had invited El-Rufai and several former officials who served under him for questioning.
He further accused the former governor of resorting to what he described as “Kangaroo debate gimmickry” in a bid to gain public sympathy and deliberately dragging Ribadu into controversy.
Quoting late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, Osuntokun likened the dispute to a “roforofo fight,” suggesting the situation was being portrayed as a chaotic clash in which observers might struggle to distinguish right from wrong.
NAN reports that El-Rufai honoured an EFCC invitation on Monday over allegations linked to his governorship. The December 2025 invitation forms part of investigations into alleged financial misconduct involving about ₦432 billion.
The probe is reportedly being conducted in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), before which El-Rufai is expected to appear on Wednesday, February 18.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division. The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, list the Federal Republic of Nigeria as complainant and El-Rufai as defendant.
Prosecutors allege that during a television appearance in Abuja, El-Rufai admitted to unlawfully intercepting Ribadu’s telephone communications.
The developments have intensified political tensions, with observers closely monitoring the unfolding legal and political situation.
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