The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has urged the public to dismiss comments made by former Kaduna state governor, Nasir el-Rufai, during his interview with Arise TV on February 24.


In the interview, el-Rufai accused Ribadu of orchestrating attacks against him as part of a personal agenda for the 2031 presidency. 


“This project to destroy Nasir el-Rufai is Nuhu Ribadu’s conception. He is the architect and builder of it, collaborating with Uba Sani to put it into action. So far, their efforts have been frustrating,” el-Rufai claimed.


He further alleged that Ribadu aims to tarnish his reputation, asserting, “Nuhu Ribadu wants to be president in 2031. He needs to eliminate every northerner he perceives as competition.” El-Rufai also accused Ribadu and his allies of pressuring lower-level officials to implicate him in wrongdoing in exchange for leniency, criticizing the current state of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).


In response, Ribadu released a statement asserting that he has never entertained discussions about running for president in 2031 with anyone and emphasized his focus on his current responsibilities, choosing not to engage in disputes with el-Rufai or anyone else.