By James Aduku Odaudu, PhD
Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai has been hitting the headlines of recent, mostly for the vigorous political activities he has engaged in, criss-crossing the length and breath of the country and meeting and trying to forge new alliances with the most unlikely people. It is left to be seen what the outcome of these meetings will be. His open declaration of having defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is viewed as one of the outcomes. But, can he be trusted?
Here is a man who has spent his political career crafting the image of a nationalist and reformer, but a closer look at his record reveals a man driven purely by self-interest. Whether as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Governor of Kaduna State, or a political schemer, his actions have been perceived to be largely dictated by personal interest rather than principle.
His tenure as Governor was marked by controversies, including his questionable handling of the Southern Kaduna killings, land revocation scandals, relentless political betrayals, and, most recently, his open attacks on the government of President Bola Tinubu after being denied a ministerial position. Even more telling is his habit of discarding close allies the moment they are no longer useful to him.
• Southern Kaduna Killings: A Governor Who Looked the Other Way
One of the most disturbing aspects of el-Rufai’s tenure as Kaduna governor was his handling of the violence in Southern Kaduna. The region, predominantly Christian and home to ethnic minorities, suffered repeated attacks by armed Fulani militia. Instead of acting decisively to stop the carnage, el-Rufai infamously admitted that his government had traced some of the attackers to neighboring countries and paid them to avert further attacks, a statement that stunned many Nigerians.
His government’s rhetoric further inflamed tensions, as he downplayed the suffering of Southern Kaduna residents while taking no meaningful steps to hold perpetrators accountable. Rather than acting as a unifier, he deepened ethnic and religious divisions, reinforcing suspicions that he was more concerned about protecting his ethnic group’s interests than ensuring justice. It is worth noting that the hitherto persistent violent attacks have greatly abated under the Uba Sani administration. The question on the lips of the people is what the secret is that El-Rufai refused to disclose.
• Land Revocation in the FCT:
El-Rufai the Crony Capitalist
El-Rufai’s tenure as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under President Olusegun Obasanjo was equally controversial. It is on record that he revoked numerous land allocations, claiming to be restoring Abuja’s original master plan. However, reports consistently emerged that much of the revoked land was reallocated to his political allies, family members, and business associates.
While he presented himself as an anti-corruption crusader, his actions showed that he was merely using power to settle scores and enrich those loyal to him. His style of governance has always been about consolidating personal influence rather than serving the public good.
• El-Rufai’s Habitual Political Betrayals
El-Rufai’s political history is a long tale of betrayals and shifting allegiances. Whenever he is within the corridors of power, he fiercely defends the system. But the moment he is excluded, he suddenly finds faults and begins attacking his former allies.
Betrayal of Buhari:
In 2010, el-Rufai dismissed Muhammadu Buhari as unelectable and unfit to govern Nigeria. However, once he saw an opportunity in the 2015 elections, he quickly repositioned himself as one of Buhari’s closest allies. His loyalty was not based on conviction but on the pursuit of power.
Attack on Atiku Abubakar: While serving in the Obasanjo administration, el-Rufai was a vocal critic of then-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of corruption. Ironically, he himself was later accused of using his FCT position to enrich his cronies. His opposition to Atiku was never about integrity but about ensuring his survival in Obasanjo’s inner circle.
Clash with Tinubu: In 2023, el-Rufai aligned with Bola Tinubu’s presidential bid, believing he would be rewarded with a powerful ministerial position. However, after failing to secure the appointment, he swiftly turned against the Tinubu administration, portraying it as incompetent and directionless. His criticism is not about patriotism but about his frustration at being sidelined.
• Throwing Friends Under the Bus:
El-Rufai’s Toxic Politics
Perhaps the most telling aspect of el-Rufai’s character is his notorious habit of discarding close associates the moment they are no longer useful to him. Over the years, he has built a reputation for betraying even his closest political allies.
Senator Shehu Sani: Shehu Sani was once one of el-Rufai’s closest political allies in Kaduna. However, when Sani refused to be a puppet governor-in-waiting, el-Rufai turned against him, ensuring he was denied a second term as senator. El-Rufai did not just withdraw support; he actively worked against Sani’s political survival.
Governor Uba Sani: Uba Sani, his former political ally, was handpicked by el-Rufai to succeed him as Kaduna governor. However, once Uba Sani began asserting independence, el-Rufai quickly distanced himself, publicly declaring that they were no longer friends. This shows his unwillingness to maintain friendships once he no longer controls the narrative.
Others in His Political Orbit:
Beyond Sani, el-Rufai has similarly discarded many allies who once stood by him. His tendency to sever ties with friends the moment they are no longer convenient is a testament to his ruthlessness. He does not believe in relationships—only in usefulness.
• El-Rufai’s Attacks on Tinubu: A Case of Political Bitterness
El-Rufai’s latest criticisms of the Tinubu administration are not driven by principle but by sheer bitterness. Having expected a high-ranking ministerial position, he was left disappointed when his nomination was stalled due to security concerns. Unable to accept his diminished relevance, he has resorted to attacking the government he once supported.
His pattern is clear: when in power, he justifies all government actions. When out of power, he suddenly becomes an anti-establishment figure. This predictable cycle reveals a man who is loyal only to his personal ambitions.
• Can El-Rufai be Trusted?
El-Rufai has a public image of one who has built his career on deception, betrayal, and opportunism. He has failed to stand firmly for any cause beyond his own self-interest. His handling of the Southern Kaduna crisis showed his insensitivity to national unity. His tenure in the FCT exposed a not-very-clean personality. His long list of political betrayals, including of close friends, proves that he is incapable of loyalty. And his recent attacks on Tinubu only reinforce the fact that he cannot stomach political irrelevance.
A true nationalist does not abandon allies, shift allegiances, or attack governments based on personal disappointments. El-Rufai’s nationalism is nothing more than a tool for personal advancement. Nigeria’s serious-minded leaders would do well to recognize him for what he truly is—an opportunist whose loyalty is available to the highest bidder.
• Dr James Odaudu, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Administration (CIPAN), is a development administrator and communication consultant based in Abuja. He can be reached at jamesaduku@gmail.com
