El-Rufai is a very difficult person to advise — Hakeem Baba-Ahmed
Former Adviser Critiques El-Rufai Amid Allegations
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former special adviser on political matters to President Bola Tinubu, has suggested that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai should concentrate on addressing corruption allegations against him rather than engaging in public disputes. Baba-Ahmed characterized El-Rufai as “a very difficult person to advise.”
Baba-Ahmed made his comments during a recent appearance on Political Paradigm, a current affairs program on Channels Television. This discussion comes amidst a deepening public rift between El-Rufai and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
“If I were to advise El-Rufai, there are so few fronts that you’d fight,” Baba-Ahmed said. “Try and limit the damage; focus your attention on getting yourself cleaned up on allegations that you stole money from the people.” He emphasized El-Rufai’s challenging temperament, stating, “by character, Mallam El-Rufai is a very difficult person to advise.”
Baba-Ahmed asserted that the allegations, including corruption claims against El-Rufai and counterclaims from Ribadu, should not be dismissed as mere political theatrics, but rather be subjected to legal scrutiny.
“I’d say that the simpler way to go about this is to put all these allegations on the table,” he said. “They are legal issues that must be brought before the judicial process. We cannot sweep them under the rug by claiming this is politics; that’s not good enough.”
The tension escalated when El-Rufai accused Ribadu of orchestrating his “abduction” at Abuja airport, alleging that his associates intercepted phone conversations indicating instructions from Ribadu to detain him. El-Rufai also claimed that Ribadu was using anti-corruption agencies for political reasons tied to an alleged presidential ambition in 2031, raising concerns about the procurement of potentially harmful chemicals by Ribadu’s office.
Ribadu has denied these accusations, asserting that the alleged political ambitions are unfounded and that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operates independently of any influence.
Reflecting on the deteriorating relationship between the two, Baba-Ahmed expressed concern about the state of Nigeria’s political culture.
“I am extremely saddened by the development,” he stated. “I know both gentlemen and how deep their personal relationship was. It is very saddening to see this relationship degenerate to a point where personal relationships are now so poisoned that no one thinks about the consequences.”
Both El-Rufai and Ribadu were key figures during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a period during which they developed a close professional and personal bond that continued through El-Rufai’s governorship.
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