The Northern Patriots Forum (NoPF) has strongly criticized former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent remarks against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
In an interview on Arise Television on Monday, El-Rufai alleged that President Tinubu and Ribadu orchestrated his failed ministerial nomination, claiming Tinubu personally excluded him from the cabinet. He also accused Ribadu of undermining him due to the NSA’s alleged 2031 presidential ambitions.
Responding on Wednesday, NoPF, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Capt. Monday Ishakwu, dismissed El-Rufai’s claims, stating that he lacks the moral standing to criticize Tinubu’s administration. The group argued that Tinubu’s achievements in under two years have outshined El-Rufai’s tenure as governor.
The Forum asserted that El-Rufai’s diminishing political relevance stems from his own words and actions, both as governor and beyond, making him unpopular nationally and internationally.
“NoPF maintained that President Tinubu had initially reserved a cabinet position for El-Rufai, but multiple security reports from various agencies flagged him as a ‘diplomatic liability,’ citing past controversial statements, including his 2019 threat against European Union election observers.
The statement also referenced El-Rufai’s alleged religious intolerance, recalling his remarks about Christians and his claim that even “if he brought the Pope,” he would not receive Christian votes.
The Forum accused El-Rufai of being driven by envy and frustration, insisting that Tinubu’s administration has achieved significant progress without him.
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