The Presidency has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of deliberately escalating political tension and spreading misinformation in a bid to distract Nigerians from corruption allegations linked to his tenure in Kaduna State.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said El-Rufai’s recent public criticisms of the Federal Government were driven by personal motives rather than genuine concern for governance or democracy.
According to the Presidency, the former governor’s actions are aimed at creating fear and unrest nationwide while shifting public attention away from what it described as serious legal and political challenges he faces at home.
The statement alleged that El-Rufai is attempting to elevate his local issues into a national controversy in order to gain sympathy and portray himself as a victim of political persecution. The Presidency maintained that Nigerians are unlikely to be swayed by such tactics in the face of corruption allegations.
It further stated that El-Rufai’s recent conduct reflects an effort to mislead the public and undermine the current administration through calculated narratives designed to inflame political sentiments.
The former governor, who has recently intensified his criticism of federal authorities, had raised concerns over alleged government activities relating to national security matters, positioning himself as a concerned citizen seeking accountability.
However, the Presidency dismissed these actions as diversionary, insisting that the core issue remains the allegations tied to El-Rufai’s years in office in Kaduna State. It stressed that accountability, not political theatrics, should be the focus of public discourse.
The statement concluded by reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency, rule of law, and resisting attempts to politicise legitimate accountability processes.
