A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has made serious allegations against President Bola Tinubu and his associates, accusing them of ingratitude towards former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai. According to Galadima, El-Rufai played a significant role in Tinubu's emergence as president in 2023, but despite this, Tinubu and his associates have turned against him. Galadima made these allegations during an interview on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast.
Galadima revealed that he had previously advised El-Rufai to consider going into exile after his relationship with the Tinubu administration deteriorated. He expressed concerns that El-Rufai could face persecution following the breakdown of his relationship with the president and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Galadima stated that he was not a close friend of El-Rufai, but he felt compelled to offer him advice due to the circumstances.
The NDC chieftain claimed that he did not keep his concerns about El-Rufai's situation private, noting that he had spoken about them during interviews with the BBC and Nigerian television stations. In his words, "Tinubu and his people are ingrates as far as El-Rufai is concerned." Galadima's comments suggest that there is a deep-seated rift between El-Rufai and the Tinubu administration.
Galadima disclosed that he approached former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, after learning that El-Rufai intended to return to Nigeria from Egypt. He urged Kwankwaso to persuade El-Rufai not to return, citing concerns for his safety. According to Galadima, Kwankwaso subsequently contacted El-Rufai, who initially deferred his return before later announcing another date for his arrival in Nigeria.
Despite his concerns, Galadima described El-Rufai's eventual return as an indication of courage, particularly against the backdrop of what he portrayed as the APC's determination to maintain its hold on power. Galadima's comments suggest that El-Rufai's decision to return to Nigeria was a bold move, given the perceived animosity between him and the ruling party.
The NDC chieftain also alleged that the ruling party could employ extreme measures to retain power because of the possible consequences its leaders may face if they are defeated at the polls. Galadima claimed that the APC is desperate to remain in power and may stop at nothing to achieve this goal. He suggested that the party's leaders are aware of the repercussions they may face if they lose power.
Galadima's allegations against Tinubu and his associates have sparked controversy, with many Nigerians taking to social media to express their opinions on the matter. While some have expressed support for Galadima's claims, others have dismissed them as unfounded. The allegations have also raised questions about the state of politics in Nigeria and the relationships between key players in the country's political landscape.
Key points
- Buba Galadima accuses President Tinubu and associates of ingratitude towards Nasir El-Rufai.
- Galadima advised El-Rufai to consider going into exile due to concerns about his safety.
- El-Rufai's return to Nigeria was seen as a bold move by Galadima, given the perceived animosity between him and the APC.
