Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu is planning to harass and abduct him. He specifically mentioned the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in his claims, suggesting that there are efforts to intimidate him politically. His statement has generated fresh debate within Nigeria’s political space.

However, El-Rufai’s opponents have strongly rejected his claims and accused him of hypocrisy. They argue that during his time as governor of Kaduna State, some critics and journalists were allegedly harassed or detained for speaking against his administration. According to them, the former governor is now complaining about actions similar to what they believe happened under his leadership.

Former senator Shehu Sani also weighed in on the controversy. In a post on social media, he mentioned the names of Kaduna-based journalists who were reportedly arrested and jailed during El-Rufai’s tenure. Those listed include Midat Joseph of Leadership Newspaper, Luka Biniyat of Vanguard, and Joseph Dickson of Authentic Newspaper. Sani claimed they were detained for criticizing the state government at the time.

The back-and-forth accusations have further deepened political tensions, with supporters on both sides defending their positions. While El-Rufai maintains that he is being unfairly targeted, his critics insist that past events in Kaduna State should not be ignored. The situation continues to spark conversation about press freedom, political rivalry, and accountability in Nigeria.