The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has dismissed recent remarks made by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, stating that he would not engage in a media altercation with the ex-governor.
Ribadu, in a statement on Tuesday, addressed the comments made by El-Rufai in a Monday evening interview, urging the public to disregard the statements against him.
“If my silence wouldn’t risk being construed as consent, I would have ignored him. I am too preoccupied with my current assignment to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else,” Ribadu stated.
He further emphasized that despite past provocations, he has never spoken ill of El-Rufai, citing respect for their former association and their families.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I want to put it on record that I have never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody. All my focus and energy are geared completely towards the advancement of Nigeria and the success of the President Tinubu administration,” he clarified.
Ribadu urged El-Rufai to allow him to focus on his national responsibilities, just as he refrains from interfering in the former governor’s affairs.
El-Rufai’s interview, which has generated widespread reactions, contained allegations against Ribadu, prompting the NSA’s response. While details of the former governor’s statements were not explicitly mentioned, Ribadu’s swift rebuttal underscores growing tensions within the political space.
Observers note that the rift between the two influential figures could signal deeper undercurrents in Nigeria’s political landscape. Meanwhile, the Tinubu administration continues to navigate its governance priorities amidst emerging controversies.
