Northern-based advocacy group, Northern Frontiers for Buhari (NFB), has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, of betraying the late President Muhammadu Buhari through legal confrontations, policy defiance, and sustained criticism that allegedly weakened the unity of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement signed by Comrade Murtala Musa Daura and released to the press, the group detailed a pattern of behavior they claim reflected El-Rufai’s betrayal of the political bond he once shared with Buhari. The NFB argued that El-Rufai’s actions—once masked by loyalty—evolved into public opposition and subtle sabotage of Buhari’s administration.
“One such example,” the group claimed, “was when El-Rufai dragged the Federal Government under Buhari to court over issues related to federal appointments and resource control. Legal records show a governor persistently at odds with the central government—even when it was controlled by his own party.”
The group expressed concern that this legal opposition occurred during a time when Buhari’s government needed the collective support of APC governors to tackle growing economic and security challenges. “El-Rufai’s posture was seen by insiders as a deep betrayal that undermined internal party unity,” the NFB said.
They also recalled that in early 2023, just months before Buhari’s exit from power, El-Rufai openly condemned the Central Bank of Nigeria’s controversial naira redesign policy. He described the move as “senseless” and “ill-timed,” blaming Buhari’s economic advisers for exacerbating economic hardship among Nigerians.
In a dramatic counteraction, the Kaduna State government under El-Rufai’s leadership ordered residents to continue using the old naira notes despite a federal directive to phase them out. The NFB described this as a “deliberate act of rebellion against the presidency,” arguing that it sent a message of public defiance from a supposed loyalist.
“Political watchers saw this not just as resistance to policy but a public rejection of Buhari’s leadership—especially shocking, coming from someone believed to have risen politically through Buhari’s support,” the statement read.
The group also alleged that El-Rufai was involved in behind-the-scenes political realignments, including strategic meetings that supported individuals within the APC who were openly critical of Buhari’s inner circle. Referring to leaked internal memos, the group said El-Rufai once described Buhari as “detached” and “surrounded by incompetent loyalists.”
While El-Rufai never formally announced a break from the Buhari camp, the NFB said his body language, interviews, and political calculations suggested a calculated repositioning in anticipation of Buhari’s declining political capital toward the end of his tenure.
“From being one of Buhari’s most trusted allies and a pillar in the 2015 APC electoral victory, El-Rufai morphed into a sharp critic and political opportunist. His transformation has been described by many as a textbook case of political betrayal,” the group stated.
In its final remarks, the NFB accused El-Rufai of exploiting Buhari’s popularity for personal ambition, stating: “El-Rufai is simply an opportunist who hid under Buhari’s political goodwill to pursue his own ambition. Even in death, Buhari’s legacy is still being trampled on by people like him.”
Middle-Belt Times 