2 weeks ago
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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Joint Action Movement of Nigeria (JAMN) has lambasted a former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai for intervening in the dispute between the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu and Najatu Mohammed.
JAMN Chairman, Lawal Ningi, and Secretary, Deborah Kantiok, in a statement yesterday, said the intervention served as a stark reminder of El-Rufai’s unfitness for any position that demands statesmanship, credibility, or sound judgment.
Ningi said: “His unsolicited comments, marked by derogatory language and a blatant disregard for factual integrity, reveal a man more concerned with self-aggrandizement and political manoeuvring than with fostering constructive dialogue or pursuing the truth.
“At the heart of this controversy lie serious allegations made by Najatu Mohammed against Nuhu Ribadu.
“In a viral TikTok video, Mohammed claimed that Ribadu, during his tenure as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), vowed to thwart the political aspirations of prominent governors, including Bola Tinubu, George Akume, and Orji Kalu, whom she labelled as the most corrupt in Nigeria. Ribadu has since demanded concrete evidence to substantiate these claims, highlighting the potential legal ramifications of such unverified accusations.
“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.
“His reliance on outdated newspaper clippings in an attempt to corroborate Najatu’s allegations only serves to further obfuscate the facts.
“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.
“El-Rufai’s intervention is particularly alarming given the backdrop of his own legal troubles. Reports indicate that he is facing pending accusations of financial irregularities from the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
“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 Joint Action Movement of Nigeria is deeply concerned about the implications of El-Rufai’s actions, which reflect a broader pattern of behaviour marked by betrayal, inconsistency, and a lack of ethical integrity.
“His tenure as governor of Kaduna State was marred by accusations of dehumanization and the arbitrary dismissal of individuals, actions that starkly contradict his self-proclaimed role as a defender of the “cultured North.”
“Such conduct is not that of a statesman but of a cynical politician seeking to manipulate public opinion for personal gain.
“Moreover, 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. This behavior reeks of bitterness and desperation, as he attempts to regain relevance through manufactured outrage.
“Furthermore, El-Rufai’s self-proclaimed role as a messiah for the North is particularly troubling. After inflicting hardship and humiliation on a significant segment of Kaduna State’s population, he now attempts to reposition himself as a benevolent leader.
“This cynical attempt to rewrite history and evade responsibility is a clear demonstration of his lack of integrity. The people of Kaduna State, and indeed the wider Nigerian public, are not easily deceived.
“The memory of his governance and its consequences remains vivid, rendering his current posturing hollow and unconvincing.
“Nasir El-Rufai’s intervention in the Ribadu-Mohammed dispute epitomizes his broader political character, characterized by a lack of integrity, a penchant for betrayal, and a demonstrable inability to engage in constructive dialogue.
“His history of inconsistent allegiances documented ethical failings, and inflammatory rhetoric disqualifies him from offering any meaningful commentary on matters of public importance.
“His attempts to position himself as a moral authority or defender of any group should be treated with scepticism, given his demonstrable lack of credibility and the weight of his past actions.
“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 future of our nation demands leaders who prioritize integrity and responsibility over personal ambition.”
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