“El-Rufai a threat to national security” – Ex-minster Fani-Kayode declares

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former minister of aviation, has accused Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state, of posing a threat to national security over allegations made against Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA), and Senator Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna.

In a statement on Tuesday, Fani-Kayode said El-Rufai made “very serious allegations” during a recent interview, including claims that he bugged Ribadu’s phone and that the NSA’s office imported “dangerous chemical weapons” into the country.

He also referenced El-Rufai’s allegation of a conspiracy between Ribadu and Sani to “destroy him” and “jail him for life”.

“If you can boast of bugging the NSA’s phone on national television it makes you a security threat to our nation,” Fani-Kayode said.

He described El-Rufai’s alleged admission as “complicit” and said such statements could undermine national security.

“Sadly Nasir El Rufai’s public admission of having a relationship with them and even confessing publicly that he exchanges information with them even though he acknowledged the fact that such a course of action is illegal makes him complicit to their crimes and an accessory after the fact,” he said.

Fani-Kayode said political leaders who believe they are innocent should seek redress through legal channels rather than public accusations.

“If you know you have done no wrong why can’t you calm down, pray to God, behave in a dignified manner, carry your cross, stop claiming that there is some kind of imaginary and nonsensical conspiracy against you emanating from Kaduna state and the NSA’s office and hope for the same?” he queried.

He said public allegations of chemical weapons importation without evidence could create panic and erode public confidence in state institutions.

Fani-Kayode also criticised El-Rufai’s past remarks and actions while in office, alleging that they contributed to divisions and insecurity in Kaduna state.

He urged the former governor to “make your peace with God” and refrain from statements that could inflame tensions.

“Kindly behave and respect yourself and stop behaving like an unrepentant and unrelenting ingrate and pest. The NSA does not have your time and neither does the Governor of your state,” he said.

El-Rufai has yet to publicly respond to Fani-Kayode’s latest comments.