Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has alleged that recent investigations targeting him — including an attempted arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Abuja airport — are politically motivated.

 

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, El-Rufai claimed the actions were aimed at pressuring him to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC) and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s anticipated 2027 re-election bid.

El-Rufai defended his public service record, insisting that previous investigations into his activities during his time in office found no evidence of corruption or misconduct. He referenced probes conducted during his tenure between 1999 and 2007, as well as subsequent reviews of his stewardship.

 

He also recalled investigations under the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that a court dismissed a land allocation case related to his period as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

 

According to him, legitimate scrutiny should rely strictly on documented evidence rather than what he described as “preemptive arrests or detentions.”

El-Rufai further alleged that political considerations are driving the renewed scrutiny. He claimed that some anti-graft officials privately suggested the pressure would ease if he aligned with the APC and endorsed Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

 

He described the situation as coercive, arguing that officials were implicitly expecting political compliance in exchange for relief from investigations.

 

Broader Political Implications

 

Maintaining his confidence, El-Rufai said the financial and administrative decisions taken during his time in public office could withstand proper examination. He framed the developments as part of a broader pattern in which state institutions are allegedly used to exert political influence.

 

His remarks highlight growing tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape as alignments and rivalries begin to shape the conversation ahead of the 2027 general elections.