A fresh political storm has erupted in Nigeria as former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has come forward with explosive allegations against National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and his successor, Governor Uba Sani. El-Rufai claims that Ribadu is secretly positioning himself for the 2031 presidential race and is working behind the scenes to eliminate any northern politician who might challenge his ambition.
In a revealing interview on Arise TV, El-Rufai accused his former ally, Governor Sani, of betraying him and conspiring with Ribadu to tarnish his political legacy. The former governor, who played a pivotal role in Sani’s emergence as Kaduna’s leader, now describes him as an adversary working against him.
“Uba Sani is not my friend. He is working with Ribadu against me,” El-Rufai said on Monday evening, signaling a complete breakdown of their political relationship.
The crux of his allegation is that Ribadu, Nigeria’s first Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman and now the National Security Adviser, has presidential ambitions for 2031. According to El-Rufai, Ribadu is allegedly using his influence in the security sector to sideline potential contenders from the north.
“Somebody wants to destroy my reputation. Why? Nuhu Ribadu wants to be president in 2031. He has to eliminate every northerner that he thinks is on the radar,” El-Rufai declared.
His comments have sparked immediate reactions across Nigeria’s political circles, with many questioning the depth of the alleged conspiracy and the rift between prominent figures of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
There have been long-standing speculations that El-Rufai himself harbors presidential ambitions. His tenure as Kaduna’s governor was marked by bold policies and strategic political alliances that positioned him as one of the most influential figures in northern Nigeria. However, his growing distance from the current administration has fueled speculation about his political future.
El-Rufai further alleged that President Bola Tinubu deliberately sidelined him from his cabinet, despite earlier indications that he would be part of the administration. He dismissed claims that his exclusion was due to opposition from the National Assembly, asserting that the decision came directly from the president.
“The National Assembly had nothing to do with it. President Tinubu didn’t want me in his cabinet,” he stated, hinting at deeper tensions within the APC leadership.
The accusations have cast a spotlight on the evolving power struggles within Nigeria’s political elite, particularly within the northern bloc of the APC. With 2031 still years away, the battle for influence appears to have already begun behind the scenes.
For now, Ribadu has not publicly responded to El-Rufai’s claims. However, the allegations have fueled debates over the realignment of political interests and the strategic positioning of key players ahead of future elections.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the fallout from these revelations could shape the future of Nigeria’s power structure. El-Rufai’s statements not only expose a deepening divide within the ruling party but also suggest that the contest for Nigeria’s highest office is already underway.
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