Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has claimed that certain individuals in government are uneasy about his return to Nigeria, declaring that efforts to unseat the current administration are only just starting.
Speaking during an interview with BBC Hausa monitored on Friday, El-Rufai said he had been one of the earliest critics of the present government.
“You know when this government came into power, I was among the few who openly said we would oppose it and work to remove it. I did not hold back,” he stated.
He maintained that if there were any credible allegations against him, they would have been addressed long ago.
“If they truly had anything against me, as they claim to have against others, it would have been resolved by now. If you want to accuse me, then prove it. I am ready—whoever invites me, I will honour the invitation,” he said.
El-Rufai explained that his disagreement with the administration stems from differences in goals and direction.
“Our objectives are no longer aligned. What we are seeing now is not what we envisaged when we stood together in the party. If our goals differ, then we should part peacefully and allow everyone to pursue their path without hostility,” he noted.
On his relationship with President Bola Tinubu, El-Rufai dismissed suggestions of a personal rift, saying they had never shared a close political partnership beyond their involvement in the APC.
“I have no personal issue with Tinubu. We have never done politics together directly.
We only came together in the APC when Buhari contested and won, and Tinubu played his role,” he said.
He added that there had been an understanding within the party that after the eight-year tenure of Muhammadu Buhari, power would shift to the South-West, with Tinubu benefiting from that arrangement.
Addressing speculation about tension with his successor, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, El-Rufai described him as a political protégé and denied any personal conflict.
“Uba Sani is my political son. He has said so himself many times. We are not enemies; we only differ in objectives,” he said.
El-Rufai emphasized that political disagreements should not be personalized, noting that reconciliation is common in politics.
“Politics allows for disagreements and reconciliation. When politicians clash, others should not take it personally. What matters now is rescuing Nigerians from hardship, oppression, and unemployment,” he said.
He also revealed that although he previously opposed some figures within an emerging coalition, the time had come for unity.
“In the past, we opposed some members of this coalition, but now we must unite, forgive one another, and work to save the country,” he stated.
The former governor clarified that he currently has no intention of contesting any elective office.
“I have no plans to run for any position at the moment. The future is uncertain in politics, but for now my focus is contributing to efforts to remove this government,” he said.
“Since I helped bring them into power, I must also play a role in removing them.
The political struggle is only beginning. They know what I am capable of, and that is why they are watching me closely,” he added.
El-Rufai further alleged that reported attempts to stop him at the airport were deliberate acts of intimidation.
“As I return home, some people will lose sleep. The attempts to stop me at the airport were empty threats. They would prefer I remain abroad, but once we are in Nigeria, we will organize—and by God’s grace, we will succeed,” he said.
He concluded by saying that political challenges only strengthen his resolve.
“This kind of political struggle energizes me even more,” he added.