By John Umeh
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has vowed to work toward unseating President Bola Tinubu’s administration, declaring that the political struggle against the current government is “just beginning.”
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday, El-Rufai alleged that recent scrutiny surrounding him was politically motivated and linked to his return to Nigeria.
“When that government came, I was among those who said we would oppose it and remove it,” he stated, insisting that he had committed no wrongdoing. He challenged authorities to formally invite or charge him if there were any legitimate allegations against him.
His remarks follow an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where security operatives reportedly attempted to detain him shortly after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt. According to his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai declined to accompany the officers without a formal warrant or written invitation. His passport was reportedly seized during the encounter before security personnel withdrew.
El-Rufai and his legal team described the episode as unconstitutional and accused the authorities of executive overreach.
Addressing speculation about tensions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai said his disagreement with the administration stems from differing political objectives rather than personal conflict.
“Our objectives are what differ,” he said. “What we are seeing now is not what we saw then. If your objectives are different from mine, we should part ways peacefully.”
He denied having any personal dispute with President Tinubu, noting that their political association began within the APC during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure. He also referenced what he described as an internal understanding within the party that power would rotate to the South-West after Buhari’s eight-year term.
On his relationship with Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, El-Rufai dismissed reports of a fallout, describing him as a political ally despite differences in approach.
El-Rufai further revealed that he is aligning with an emerging political coalition aimed at challenging the current government. While ruling out immediate plans to contest any elective office, he signalled active involvement in opposition efforts.
“I do not have the intention to contest for any position now,” he said. “But I contributed to bringing this government into power, and I must also contribute to removing it.”
He alleged that attempts were made to discourage his return to Nigeria, claiming political actors were uneasy about his presence.
“As I return home, some people will not sleep,” he said. “They prefer I stay abroad. But political struggles are just beginning.”
El-Rufai added that the opposition’s focus, as he sees it, is addressing hardship, unemployment and insecurity affecting Nigerians, stressing that political disagreements should not be personalised.
The development signals heightened political tensions as the country moves closer to the next electoral cycle.
