Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor, alleged that authorities might arrest him soon. He made this claim during an interview with BBC Hausa on February 11, 2026.
El-Rufai stated, “Four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too.” Additionally, he suggested that the arrests of his associates signaled impending action against him.
Associates Face Detention
Authorities detained four individuals who worked with El-Rufai during his tenure in Kaduna. He highlighted this in the interview and noted that these events heightened his concerns.
Furthermore El-Rufai explained that the detentions occurred amid his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He transitioned to the opposition African Democratic Congress after leaving office.
Accusations Against Security Adviser
El-Rufai accused Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, of directing arrests without proper investigations. In a separate chat with DCL Hausa, he claimed, “Nuhu Ribadu just picks his phone and calls any security outfit to arrest anybody without any form of investigation.” Meanwhile El-Rufai linked these actions to political intimidation targeting critics.
Response to Exile Rumors
El-Rufai addressed rumors of self-imposed exile in a post on X. He wrote that he had heard threats since July 2024 and refused to flee. Instead, he planned to return to Nigeria for the launch of Ibrahim Babangida’s memoirs on February 20, 2026.
El-Rufai affirmed, “I will not. I have now put all my previous academic and language learning plans on hold and will spend more time in Nigeria than ever before.” However he emphasized reliance on faith amid the tensions.
Political Context and Warnings
El-Rufai’s statements emerged as opposition figures faced increased scrutiny ahead of the 2027 elections. He warned that such tactics aimed to silence dissent. Moreover he maintained that he had not yet faced arrest but remained vigilant.
