The Presidency has accused former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai of deliberately trying to stoke political tension in Nigeria and divert attention from corruption allegations against him.
In a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday, Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, described El‑Rufai’s recent public comments as an attempt to spread misinformation and damage the credibility of the current government.
Ajayi said El‑Rufai’s narrative is aimed at projecting himself as a victim of persecution, rather than addressing serious corruption concerns in Kaduna State.
“El‑Rufai has two clear intentions behind his recent actions and tantrums. One, to create political tension in the country, create an atmosphere of fear and unrest. Two, to divert attention from his domestic problems in Kaduna State, where he is facing massive corruption allegations,” Ajayi wrote.
The Presidency’s rebuttal comes in response to El‑Rufai’s interview on a national television programme, where he openly criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)‑led Federal Government following his return to Nigeria.
The controversy intensified last week when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) attempted to arrest El‑Rufai at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja — a development that has ignited widespread public debate.
Supporters of El‑Rufai argue the arrest attempt was politically motivated, while the government maintains it followed due process — a claim the Presidency’s latest statement sought to reinforce by questioning the motives behind the former governor’s statements.
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