National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has responded to comments made by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in a recent interview, dismissing them as baseless while reaffirming his commitment to national service.
El-Rufai in an interview on Arise TV on Monday night, accused Ribadu of working to eliminate any potential political competition from the North ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“Ribadu is behind the project to destroy El-Rufai and my reputation. But so far, it has been frustrating for them. They have not found anything to use against me.
“So they are now going to lower-level officers who worked with me, trying to convince them to implicate me in exchange for having their problems resolved,” he said.
Reacting to the claims of El-Rufai in a statement issued on Tuesday, Ribadu made it clear that he had no intention of engaging in a media battle with the former governor, stressing that his primary focus remained on his current responsibilities in the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“My attention has been drawn to the interview granted by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State Monday evening,” Ribadu stated.
“If my silence wouldn’t risk being construed as consent, I would have ignored him. I am too preoccupied with my current assignment as to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else.”
The NSA also noted that despite repeated provocations, he had never spoken negatively about the former Kaduna governor, citing mutual respect and their shared history.
“Despite the incessant baiting and attacks, I have never spoken ill of Nasir on record anywhere. This is out of respect for our past association and our respective families. I will not start today.”
Ribadu further urged the public to disregard the former Kaduna governor’s remarks, clarifying that he had no intention of contesting for the presidency in 2031.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I want to put it on record that I have never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody. All my focus and energy are geared completely towards the advancement of Nigeria and the success of the President Tinubu administration,” he declared.
Concluding his statement, Ribadu called on El-Rufai to refrain from distracting him from his national duty.
“I therefore ask Nasir El-Rufai to allow me to face my onerous national assignment just as I do not bother myself with his own affairs,” he said.
El-Rufai is yet to respond to Ribadu’s remarks as of the time of filing this report.
