Former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has urged former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to prioritise clearing his name over corruption allegations rather than escalating public confrontations.
Speaking on Political Paradigm, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, Baba-Ahmed described El-Rufai as “a very difficult person to advise” and cautioned against fighting battles on multiple fronts.
“If I were to advise El-Rufai, there are so few fronts that you’d fight, so try and limit the damage. Focus your attention on getting yourself cleaned up on allegations that you stole money from the people,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed stressed that the corruption allegations against El-Rufai — along with counter-allegations involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu — should be subjected to judicial scrutiny rather than dismissed as political theatrics.
He maintained that claims ranging from alleged financial misconduct to accusations of interference in investigations and the reported procurement of thallium sulphate must be tested through the courts.
“All these weighty issues must be brought before the judicial process. We must know the truth or otherwise of these allegations. We cannot sweep them aside on the grounds that this is politics,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
The dispute between El-Rufai and Ribadu has intensified in recent weeks. El-Rufai accused the NSA of orchestrating his attempted detention at the Abuja airport, alleging that security operatives acted on Ribadu’s instructions. He also claimed Ribadu was influencing anti-corruption investigations and legislative probes for political motives tied to an alleged 2031 presidential ambition.
Ribadu has firmly denied the allegations, dismissing claims of personal ambition and insisting that agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operate independently.
Reflecting on the deteriorating relationship between the two men — both of whom served prominently during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo — Baba-Ahmed described the fallout as symptomatic of deeper flaws within Nigeria’s political culture.
He expressed concern over how a longstanding professional and personal relationship had degenerated into public hostility and threats of legal action.
“If such a deep relationship can be poisoned to this extent, then we are in serious trouble,” he said, warning that the crisis underscores the fragile nature of alliances in the country’s political landscape.
The controversy continues to draw national attention, with observers calling for transparency and due process to resolve the mounting allegations.
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