The Joint Action Movement of Nigeria (JAMN) has launched a scathing attack on former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of self-serving political maneuvering and a lack of credibility in public affairs.
In a statement signed by JAMN Chairman Lawal Sani Ningi and Secretary Deborah Kantiok, the group dismissed El-Rufai as unfit for any position requiring statesmanship, stating that his recent interventions in national discourse are marked by self-interest and inflammatory rhetoric.
“This intervention serves as a stark reminder of El-Rufai’s unfitness for any position that demands statesmanship, credibility, or sound judgment.
“His unsolicited comments, marked by derogatory language and a blatant disregard for factual integrity, reveal a man more concerned with self-aggrandizement and political maneuvering than with fostering constructive dialogue or pursuing the truth,” the statement read.
Recall that political activist Hajiya Najatu Mohammed had alleged that National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, during his tenure as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), vowed to block the political ambitions of prominent figures such as Bola Tinubu, George Akume, and Orji Kalu, labelling them as some of the most corrupt individuals in Nigeria.
Ribadu has since challenged Mohammed to provide concrete evidence, warning of legal consequences for spreading unverified claims.
JAMN accused El-Rufai of inserting himself into the dispute between Ribadu and Najatu Mohammed for personal gain rather than addressing the allegations with facts and evidence.
“In a troubling turn of events, Nasir El-Rufai has chosen to enter this debate, ostensibly in support of Najatu’s claims.
“His actions, however, do not address the substance of the allegations or the urgent call for evidence. Instead, he has resorted to personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric,” JAMN stated.
The group criticized El-Rufai for relying on outdated newspaper clippings to support Mohammed’s allegations, arguing that such materials fail to provide concrete evidence linking Ribadu to the claims.
“Notably, these clippings do not substantiate the claim that Ribadu specifically labelled the individuals mentioned as the most corrupt governors in Nigeria.
“This is emblematic of a political figure prioritizing personal vendettas over objective analysis and responsible public discourse,” the group said.
JAMN further suggested that El-Rufai’s involvement in the controversy may be a distraction from his own legal troubles, citing reports of financial irregularities during his tenure as governor.
“His public support for Najatu Mohammed appears strategically timed, potentially serving as a distraction from his own legal challenges.
“By aligning himself with a controversial claim, El-Rufai risks further eroding his credibility and prioritizing political expediency over truth and accountability,” the statement added.
The group also questioned El-Rufai’s political track record, accusing him of betrayal, ethical inconsistencies, and a pattern of behavior unbefitting of a statesman.
“The embarrassment of El-Rufai seeking a ministerial appointment, only to have his candidacy withdrawn amid ethical concerns, underscores his refusal to accept accountability for his questionable record.
“Instead of reflecting on his past actions, he has chosen a path of confrontation and unsubstantiated claims against the very administration that deemed him unfit for public service,” JAMN said.
JAMN called on Nigerians to disregard El-Rufai’s statements, describing them as a desperate attempt to regain political relevance.
“The Joint Action Movement of Nigeria urges the public to critically assess El-Rufai’s pronouncements, viewing them not as insightful analysis but as the desperate cries of a discredited figure clinging to irrelevance.
“We call upon the citizens of Nigeria to focus on substantive issues and engage in discourse that is grounded in truth and accountability, unburdened by the noise of self-serving rhetoric,” the statement concluded.
