The ongoing rift between former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has brought fresh attention to a pivotal moment in Nigeria's political history, as detailed in El-Rufai's 2013 memoir, The Accidental Public Servant.
In excerpts from pages 358–360 of the book now widely shared on social media, El-Rufai describes how Ribadu, then EFCC Chairman and a close ally, actively advocated for him to become President Olusegun Obasanjo's successor in the lead-up to the 2007 election.
According to El-Rufai, tensions arose when then-Katsina State Governor Umaru Musa Yar’Adua informed Ribadu that Obasanjo had invited him to run for president.
Ribadu reportedly responded firmly: “Well, Obasanjo has not told me, and as far as the presidency is concerned, I have my candidate for president, and that is Nasir El-Rufai. I am going to have to speak to Obasanjo about this.”
Ribadu sought an urgent meeting with Obasanjo but was allegedly denied access for two days.
When the meeting finally occurred, Obasanjo denied directly inviting Yar’Adua, claiming the governor had approached him independently. Ribadu initially accepted this and reassured El-Rufai that Yar’Adua had lied.
However, El-Rufai expressed skepticism, citing his long acquaintance with Yar’Adua since 1972 and doubting he would fabricate such a claim. He concluded that Obasanjo was not being fully truthful.
The memoir recounts Ribadu's subsequent actions as driven by “policeman logic.” Convinced Yar’Adua’s candidacy jeopardized the plan, Ribadu reportedly reopened EFCC files on corruption allegations against Yar’Adua and launched probes into Katsina State officials, including arresting some local government chairmen over alleged diversion of funds.
El-Rufai portrayed these moves as a solo effort by Ribadu to sideline Yar’Adua and clear the path for El-Rufai's presidential bid. He quoted confronting Ribadu: “Nuhu, what the hell are you doing?” Ribadu insisted they could still “take charge” and block Obasanjo’s plan.
El-Rufai cautioned against the approach, warning that late-stage investigations would fuel perceptions of political targeting by the EFCC and undermine democratic gains, especially after Obasanjo abandoned his third-term bid.
He described Ribadu as secretive, operating a “one-man show” without consulting others, even recruiting wealthy associates to fund a “last man standing” strategy.Eventually, interventions from El-Rufai, Oby Ezekwesili, and others led Ribadu to halt the probes, but El-Rufai suggested the damage to relationships and political prospects was already done.
He lamented that more collaborative planning might have yielded better results.This historical account resurfaces amid heightened current tensions.
El-Rufai has accused Ribadu of orchestrating his attempted arrest at Abuja's Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and procuring thallium sulphate, a highly toxic substance, an allegation the NSA's office denied and referred to the State Security Service for investigation.
The feud intensified further on Monday when El-Rufai was detained by the EFCC in Abuja after hours of questioning over alleged misappropriation of N432 billion in Kaduna State funds during his governorship.
The probe stems from ongoing investigations, including a 2024 Kaduna State House of Assembly report.
The revelations highlight the complex evolution of a once-close alliance between the two prominent figures, now marked by public accusations and legal scrutiny.
Ribadu has previously denied involvement in El-Rufai's ordeals, emphasizing his focus on supporting the current administration.
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