The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has dismissed Nasir El-Rufai’s allegations of being behind plots to tarnish his image and reputation.
He says he is too busy “to get into a media fight with” the former Kaduna governor.
Speaking on an interview with Arise TV on Monday evening, El-Rufai accused Ribadu of leading a smear campaign against him due to his ambition to contest the presidential election in 2031.
“This project of ‘destroy Nasir El-Rufai’ is Nuhu Ribadu’s conception. He is the architect and builder of that project. He is the one working with Uba Sani to implement it.
So far, it has been frustrating for them. Somebody wants to destroy my reputation. Why? Nuhu Ribadu wants to be president in 2031. He has to eliminate every northerner that he thinks is on the radar”, he alleged.
But reacting to the allegations in a statement on his official X handle late Monday, Ribadu said he is too busy to engage in a media battle with El-Rufai, insisting that he has not joined forces with anyone to disparage or malign the ex-governor in any way as he is only focused on delivering on the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu.
The NSA also urged Nigerians to disregard El-Rufai’s claims, saying he has never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody.
In the post titled: “I won’t join issues with Nasir El-Rufai”, Ribadu said, “My attention has been drawn to the interview granted by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State on Monday evening.
“If my silence wouldn’t risk being construed as consent, I would have ignored him. I am too preoccupied with my current assignment to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else.
“Despite the incessant baiting and attacks, I have never spoken ill of Nasir on record anywhere. This is out of respect for our past association and our respective families. I will not start today.
“I, however, urge the public to disregard El-rufai’s statements against me.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I want to put it on record that I have never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody. All my focus and energy are geared completely towards the advancement of Nigeria and the success of President Tinubu’s administration.
“I, therefore, ask Nasir El-Rufai to allow me face my onerous national assignment just as I do not bother myself with his own affairs.”
