By Sabiu Abdullahi
Bashir El-Rufai has announced that his father, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has been released from detention, a development that has again drawn attention to the former governor’s strained relationship with the current administration.
In a post shared on his verified X account, Bashir wrote, “Alhamdulillah,” before alleging that his father “is being released from his unlawful & illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is a lame excuse of a pathetic institution.”
He added, “Thank you all for all the support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufai’s always do.”
Background to the Detention
Details surrounding the detention were around alleged tapping of NSA Ribadu’s phone calls, as no official statement has been issued by the agency allegedly involved. However, the incident comes amid a period of political tension involving the former governor.
Nasir El-Rufai, a key former figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and an early supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saw his relationship with the administration deteriorate after the 2023 general elections.
His ministerial nomination by President Tinubu was withheld by the Senate, which cited security concerns. The decision marked a turning point in his standing within the ruling party and sparked speculation of internal disagreements.
Fallout With the Tinubu Administration
Since then, El-Rufai has made several public comments that analysts interpret as critical of the government. He has spoken about governance challenges and internal party dynamics, fueling perceptions of a rift between him and key figures in the administration.
While he has directly declared opposition to President Tinubu, his absence from the current government and his occasional remarks have kept him at the center of political discussions.
Observers say the reported detention and subsequent release may further deepen debates about political alignments within and outside the APC, especially as the country approaches another electoral cycle.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Federal Government nor relevant authorities have provided clarification on the circumstances of the detention or confirmed the claims made by Bashir El-Rufai.
