Former Kano State political heavyweight Buba Galadima has accused President Bola Tinubu and his associates of ingratitude over the treatment of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. Galadima made the accusation on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, discussing El-Rufai's prolonged detention and the political relationship between El-Rufai and President Tinubu. Galadima claimed El-Rufai significantly contributed to Tinubu's victory in the 2023 presidential election and should have been treated differently by the administration.
El-Rufai has been at the center of a prolonged legal and political controversy since his detention in February 2026. He initially honored an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations linked to his tenure as Kaduna governor. He was later transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) custody, which said it was investigating allegations involving him, including money laundering and abuse of office.
Galadima warned El-Rufai about the possibility of facing serious consequences after his relationship with the Tinubu administration deteriorated. He claimed to have spoken about the matter during interviews with the BBC and Nigerian television stations. Galadima also revealed that he approached former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to persuade El-Rufai not to return to Nigeria after leaving the country.
According to Galadima, Kwankwaso contacted El-Rufai, and the former Kaduna governor initially postponed his return. However, El-Rufai later announced another date and eventually returned to Nigeria despite the warning. Galadima described El-Rufai's decision as an indication of courage, considering the political atmosphere surrounding him at the time.
Galadima alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is determined to retain power in 2027 and may adopt aggressive political measures to achieve that objective. He expressed concerns that the APC's desperation could lead to further politically motivated actions against opponents. The opposition chieftain also criticized El-Rufai's political strategy, questioning his ability to lead a broad opposition movement.
In September, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II raised concerns over El-Rufai's continued detention, saying the former governor had spent about seven months in custody without a conviction. Sanusi called attention to the importance of due process in corruption investigations and prosecutions. The ICPC has maintained that it is acting within the law and that El-Rufai's detention was backed by court orders.
The ICPC has rejected suggestions that its actions against El-Rufai were driven by political considerations. El-Rufai's legal troubles have extended beyond the financial allegations being investigated by anti-corruption authorities, including proceedings connected to allegations involving the interception of telephone communications. Galadima had previously described El-Rufai as a placeholder for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Key points
- Galadima accuses President Tinubu of ingratitude over El-Rufai's detention.
- El-Rufai's detention has become a major political issue in Nigeria.
- The ICPC maintains that El-Rufai's detention is lawful and not driven by politics.
