Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has responded to reports of a plot to arrest and detain him, insisting that he will not be forced into exile.
The former governor, who has been engaged in a war of words with some members of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, made the statement on Tuesday in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
El-Rufai’s rift with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) escalated after he criticized the party for straying from its core values.
Responding to a post by X user Imran Wakili, who alleged that there was a plan to arrest him, el-Rufai disclosed that he is currently in Egypt but will return to Nigeria before February 20.
“I will spend more time in Nigeria than ever before,” he wrote.
He alleged that his adversaries were sending intimidation messages through friends, family, and political associates in a bid to push him into self-imposed exile.
“They have sent such similar messages of intimidation and threats through many of my friends, family and political associates because they want me to go on self-imposed exile.
“I have now put all my previous academic and language-learning plans on hold. Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option.”
“Arrest, Detention, and Torture Are Nothing New” – El-Rufai
The former governor described arrests, detentions, and torture of political opponents as a common occurrence in politics, recalling that he had been arrested three times in the past for expressing his views against previous governments.
“The arrest, detention and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs. I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments.
“There is always a morning after the arrest or detention or torture, and political life continues. As for death, it is when Allah destines it, and it is ultimately the date of every human.”
El-Rufai to Return for IBB Memoir Launch
El-Rufai also stated that those uncomfortable with his presence in Nigeria should take note that he will return to the country before February 20 to attend the launch of former President Ibrahim Babangida’s memoirs.
“For the attention of the pathetic characters that don’t sleep well whenever I am in Nigeria, take notice that I intend to return in time for the launch of Pres IBB’s memoirs, in sha Allah, scheduled for 20th February.”
He concluded his statement by reaffirming his faith in God, saying he fears no one but Allah.
“We depend on no one but Allah. We fear no mortal but Almighty Allah. We always hope for the best but plan for the worst.”
