Former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has described former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai as “a very difficult person to advise,” urging him to concentrate on clearing his name over corruption allegations.
Baba-Ahmed made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Political Paradigm, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, amid a growing public feud between El-Rufai and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
He said if given the opportunity to counsel El-Rufai, he would advise him to narrow his battles and focus on addressing allegations of misappropriating public funds.
“If I were to advise El-Rufai, there are only a few fronts you can fight on. Limit the damage and concentrate on clearing yourself of allegations that you stole money from the people,” Baba-Ahmed stated, adding that El-Rufai’s temperament makes him challenging to counsel.
He stressed that the accusations and counter-accusations between the two politicians should not be dismissed as mere political theatrics but should instead be subjected to judicial scrutiny.
“The straightforward approach is to put all these allegations on the table,” he said. “From corruption claims against Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to accusations involving Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and even the issue of imported poisonous chemicals these are serious matters. They should be tested in court. We cannot dismiss them as politics.”
The dispute escalated after El-Rufai accused Ribadu of orchestrating his attempted detention at the Abuja airport, alleging that associates intercepted communications suggesting instructions were given to security operatives to arrest him.
El-Rufai further claimed that the NSA was influencing investigations by anti-corruption agencies and the Kaduna State House of Assembly for political purposes tied to a purported 2031 presidential ambition. He also raised concerns about the reported procurement of thallium sulphate by the Office of the National Security Adviser, demanding clarification.
Ribadu has denied all allegations, maintaining that he has no presidential ambitions and that agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operate independently.
Expressing disappointment over the breakdown in their relationship, Baba-Ahmed described the situation as symptomatic of deeper flaws in Nigeria’s political culture.
“I am deeply saddened by this development,” he said. “I know both men and how strong their relationship once was. If a bond of that nature can deteriorate this badly, then we are facing serious problems. It is troubling to see two former allies threatening legal action against each other.”
Both El-Rufai and Ribadu were prominent figures during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a period when they forged a close professional and personal relationship that endured through El-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
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