A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said he was aware of rumours making the rounds over his possible arrest upon arrival from Cairo, Egypt.
Mr El-Rufai stated this on his X handle while responding to a post by one of his supporters, Imran U. Wakili, on Tuesday.
He, however, vowed to return to Nigeria on February 20, to attend the book launch of former head of state, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB.
While dismissing the threats, he said the rumour has been ongoing since July 2024, when the Kaduna House of Assembly’s report began circulating.
He, however, said, “they freaked out when we challenged the legality of the premeditated defamation and went to every length to compromise the judicial process, and this is continuing at the Court of Appeal”.
Mr El-Rufai said: “Dear Imran @IU_Wakilii Your post below refers. I have been hearing these same rumours of arrest, detention, and torture in some dungeon in the NSA’s office [where Emefiele was allegedly tortured to resign as CBN governor] since July 2024, when the so-called report of the Kaduna Assembly began circulating.
“They freaked out when we challenged the legality of the premeditated defamation and went to every length to compromise the judicial process, and this is continuing at the Court of Appeal.”
He said the perpetrators have sent such similar messages of intimidation and threats through many of his friends, family and political associates, “because they want me to go on self-imposed exile. I will not”.
The former FCT minister also said he would be suspending his academic engagements and spend more time in Nigeria than ever before.
“I have now put all my previous academic and language-learning plans on hold and will spend more time in Nigeria than ever before. Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option.
“The arrest, detention, and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs. I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments.
“There is always a morning after the arrest or detention or torture, and political life continues. As for death, it when Allah destines it, and it is ultimate the date of every human.
“For the attention of the pathetic characters that don’t sleep well whenever I am in Nigeria, take notice that I intend to return in time for the launch of Pres IBB’s memoirs, in sha Allah, scheduled for 20th February.
“We depend on no one but Allah. We fear no mortal but Almighty Allah. We always hope for the best but plan for the worst. Thanks @IU_Wakilii for your concern, but, remember that what will be, will always be,” he stressed.
Leave a Comment