By Peter Omopo
The political relationship between former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has undergone a dramatic shift, evolving from years of rivalry to strategic alliance and eventually a deep rupture marked by political and legal tensions.
Before the 2023 general election, El-Rufai was known as a vocal critic of Tinubu, frequently opposing his influence within the All Progressives Congress (APC). His alignment with former President Muhammadu Buhari strengthened his standing within the party and positioned him as a counterweight to Tinubu’s dominance, particularly in Lagos politics.
In 2019 and 2020, El-Rufai publicly criticised what he described as “godfatherism” in Lagos and openly distanced himself from Tinubu, remarks widely interpreted as direct attacks on the APC leader at the time.
However, political dynamics shifted ahead of the APC presidential primaries in 2022. Despite initially backing other aspirants, El-Rufai later aligned with Tinubu’s ambition, becoming one of his key campaign strategists. He played prominent roles during the campaign, including accompanying Tinubu to international engagements such as Chatham House in the United Kingdom.
Following Tinubu’s victory, the relationship appeared to strengthen, with the President publicly urging El-Rufai to serve in his cabinet. However, the alliance suffered a major setback when the Senate declined to confirm El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination, citing security concerns reportedly raised by the Department of State Services.
The rejection marked a turning point, straining his ties not only with Tinubu but also with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Political observers have linked the fallout to broader power struggles and permutations ahead of the 2031 presidential race.
Subsequently, El-Rufai became increasingly critical of the administration and the APC, eventually resigning from the party in March 2025 to join opposition forces.
At the state level, his political challenges deepened following a report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in June 2024, which indicted him over alleged misappropriation of public funds. The Assembly recommended investigations by anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
El-Rufai denied the allegations and challenged the report in court, but investigations continued. In February 2026, he was detained by the EFCC and later taken into custody by the ICPC over related allegations.
He was subsequently arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on multiple charges, including money laundering, abuse of office, and unlawful possession of public funds. He pleaded not guilty, and the case was adjourned to March 31 for hearing of bail applications.
In a separate development, the Department of State Services filed charges accusing El-Rufai of unlawfully intercepting the communications of the National Security Adviser, a case still pending before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Reactions to his ongoing legal battles have been mixed. While some political figures describe his situation as politically motivated, others argue that due process must be followed and that the allegations are serious.
Amid these developments, El-Rufai suffered a personal loss with the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt. The ICPC granted him temporary release to attend her funeral, though details of the arrangement remain unclear.
The unfolding events highlight the complex intersection of politics, power, and legal accountability in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.
