In a recent interview with Arise TV, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai alleged that National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu is orchestrating a campaign to tarnish his reputation. El-Rufai claims that Ribadu, in collaboration with Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), aims to undermine him due to Ribadu's purported ambition to run for the presidency in 2031. El-Rufai stated, "Nuhu Ribadu wants to be president in 2031. He has to eliminate every northerner that he thinks is on the radar."
In response, Nuhu Ribadu dismissed these allegations, emphasizing his commitment to his current role. He stated, "I am too preoccupied with my current assignment to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else." Ribadu also clarified that he has never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody and urged the public to disregard El-Rufai's statements against him.
These developments highlight a growing political rift between the two prominent northern figures, with potential implications for the region's political landscape leading up to the 2031 elections.