Former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, is poised to engage in legal proceedings against President Bola Tinubu on two fronts, as reported by Vanguard.
El-Rufai aims to vindicate himself from accusations of being a security threat, both through the judiciary and in the court of public opinion, where his role in the 2027 presidential election is anticipated to be pivotal.
The forthcoming legal clash stems from what supporters and detractors alike perceive as El-Rufai’s public disgrace by the Tinubu administration, branding him unsuitable for ministerial positions due to alleged security concerns.
In recent weeks, El-Rufai, affectionately known as “Mallam” by his inner circle, has stirred political interest with his activities in the North, including meetings with SDP leaders and a visit to suspended Senator Abdul Ningi, aligning himself more closely with the opposition.
Despite his substantial contributions to Tinubu’s ascendancy, El-Rufai reportedly declined a ministerial role, preferring a break in academia. Nevertheless, he was entreated by the president to aid in revitalizing the energy sector, a task he had already begun preparing for based on his previous experiences.
However, El-Rufai’s aspirations were dashed when he failed to pass security clearance during the Senate screening, sending shockwaves through the political landscape given his influential role in rallying Northern governors behind Tinubu and aiding in APC victories in some Southwest states.
Although he had previously supported Tinubu, El-Rufai’s camp feels aggrieved by the public humiliation and security risk label, vowing to seek legal recourse to restore his reputation.
In addition to the legal avenue, El-Rufai is mobilizing public opinion against Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election, though his exact role in opposing the president remains uncertain.
Reports indicate that El-Rufai’s support for Tinubu came after previous criticisms, where he had dismissed Tinubu as a godfather figure, suggesting underlying tensions between the two political figures.
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