The Northern Patriots Forum (NoPF) has condemned former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent remarks against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai, in an interview on Arise Television on Monday, accused President Tinubu and Ribadu of orchestrating his failed ministerial nomination.
He dismissed claims that a security report led to his exclusion, insisting that Tinubu personally did not want him in the cabinet.
He also alleged that Ribadu was working against him due to his supposed presidential ambition for 2031.
In response, NoPF, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Capt. Monday Ishakwu, criticized El-Rufai, arguing that he lacked the moral authority to attack President Tinubu.
The forum accused the former governor of misgovernance during his eight-year tenure in Kaduna State and claimed that Tinubu’s achievements in under two years had already surpassed El-Rufai’s legacy.
The group warned El-Rufai to be cautious with his statements, attributing his declining political influence in the North and his failed ministerial bid to his own actions.
“President Tinubu actually wanted him in his cabinet. He nominated him and reserved a lucrative portfolio for him, had he passed the Senate screening.
However, multiple security reports from various agencies indicted him, deeming him a ‘diplomatic liability’ if he were to become a cabinet member,” the statement read.
The forum cited past controversies linked to El-Rufai, including his 2019 warning that European Union election observers would leave Nigeria “in body bags” and his alleged history of religious intolerance.
“Now, he is driven by envy and jealousy over Tinubu’s laudable reforms and is pained that significant achievements have been recorded in less than two years without him as a minister.
Instead of accepting responsibility, he continues to blame others—whether the Kaduna State Governor, Ribadu, Senator Shehu Sani, or even President Tinubu himself,” the statement added.
The forum further accused El-Rufai of fueling religious divisions, referencing his past comments about Christians and asserting that his perceived extremism continues to hinder his political standing.
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