Isaac Samuel
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has reflected on the silence of some of his former colleagues, friends and associates amid his ongoing legal travails, saying adversity has given him reason to reconsider the nature of some relationships.
El-Rufai, who has remained in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), made the reflection in an emotional personal statement titled “My Relationships and the Aftermath”, dated September 23, 2026.
The former governor, who did not mention any individual by name, said he was aware of concerns over the apparent silence of people he had previously stood by or with whom he had been closely associated.
He said throughout his life, his relationships and actions had been guided by his Islamic faith, Arewa upbringing, personal values and, above all, his conscience.
“Over the years, I have stood by people and for causes I believed in, sometimes in difficult circumstances and at considerable personal cost,” El-Rufai said.
“I did so not in expectation of praise, gratitude or reciprocity, but because I believed it was right. Those were choices I made freely, and I remain answerable for them.”
The former governor, however, said those he had supported were equally free to decide how they wanted to respond to his present circumstances.
“Some may speak; others may remain silent. Others may even deny our relationship or try rewriting history,” he said.
“Their reasons are their own, and I do not wish to judge them merely because their response differs from what others—or even I—might have expected.”
El-Rufai said the experience had nevertheless caused him to reflect on some of the relationships he had built over the years.
“Adversity has a way of illuminating relationships.
“What I learn in difficult times like the past few months may lead me, quietly and without regret, to reconsider the nature of certain relationships and what those that look up to me expect of them.”
He stressed that his comments were neither a reproach nor condemnation of those who had chosen not to speak publicly on his behalf.
Rather, he said, the experience had helped him see “people, and life, more clearly.”
Although El-Rufai did not name those whose silence he was referring to, his comments come amid the dramatic unravelling of relationships with several people who once occupied important places in his political and personal life.
Among them is National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, with whom El-Rufai had a longstanding friendship and association dating back decades.
The two have since become adversaries in a legal matter.
El-Rufai is facing an amended five-count charge over alleged interception of Ribadu’s telephone communications and an alleged breach of national security.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On September 22, the Federal High Court in Abuja fixed October 26 to rule on El-Rufai’s no-case submission after hearing arguments from his lawyers and the prosecution.
El-Rufai’s relationship with his successor as Kaduna governor, Uba Sani, has also deteriorated considerably since the latter assumed office in 2023.
Some former associates of El-Rufai have also recently returned to the All Progressives Congress and backed Sani’s second-term bid.
But in his latest statement, El-Rufai avoided naming Ribadu, Sani or any other former ally.
Instead, he adopted a philosophical tone, insisting that he had no regrets about the support he had offered people in the past.
“I have no regrets about standing by people or for causes when I believed it was right to do so, and I bear no resentment towards anyone who chooses not to do the same for me,” he said.
“I would rather remain true to the principles that have guided my own conduct than allow the conduct of others to redefine them.”
The statement also comes against the background of another relationship that has long been closely associated with El-Rufai’s political and personal story — that of Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
El-Rufai was one of Sanusi’s most vocal supporters following his controversial dethronement as Emir of Kano in March 2020.
At the time, El-Rufai personally visited Sanusi while the former emir was confined in Nasarawa State and accompanied him after a court ordered his release.
He also appointed Sanusi to the board of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency and later made him Chancellor of Kaduna State University.
El-Rufai described Sanusi at the time as a friend and brother with whom he had maintained a relationship for decades.
Sanusi has, however, not been completely silent over El-Rufai’s current predicament.
In June, the Emir publicly commented on the former governor’s detention, describing the bail conditions he faced as “extremely difficult” and saying authorities required an emir and a senior government official to stand as sureties.
But El-Rufai’s latest statement does not identify Sanusi, nor does it make clear whether the former governor considers the Emir among those whose current response has prompted him to reflect on their relationship.
‘I seek neither revenge nor retribution’
Despite the apparent disappointment underlying the statement, El-Rufai said he had no intention of seeking revenge against anyone.
“As for any injustice, ingratitude or injury done to me, I seek neither revenge nor retribution,” he said.
“Ultimate accountability belongs to Almighty Allah, and I leave that judgment to Him, in this world and in the Hereafter.”
He said everyone would ultimately have to live with the choices they made, while posterity would determine how those choices were remembered.
“In the end, each of us must live with the choices we make, and posterity will render whatever verdict it sees fit.
“My only concern is to remain at peace with my conscience and, above all, with Almighty Allah.”
El-Rufai’s statement comes as he continues to face legal proceedings arising from allegations linked to his time as Kaduna governor between 2015 and 2023. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has denied wrongdoing.
