Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has said he holds no hatred or resentment towards former colleagues, friends and family members who have chosen not to stand by him during his present circumstances.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory made the statement in a message titled “My Relationships and the Aftermath,” which he published on his X handle on Wednesday.
El-Rufai said his decision to support people and causes over the years was guided by his Islamic faith, Arewa upbringing, personal values and conscience. He added that he never expected praise, gratitude or reciprocal support in return.
His comments come amid other political developments involving prominent Nigerian figures, including recent reports concerning Peter Obi and political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai Says He Never Expected Reciprocity
In his statement, El-Rufai said he had stood by individuals and causes he believed in, sometimes under difficult circumstances and at considerable personal cost.
“Over the years, I have stood by people and for causes I believed in, sometimes in difficult circumstances and at considerable personal cost. I did so not in expectation of praise, gratitude or reciprocity, but because I believed it was right,” he said.
He acknowledged that people he had previously supported were free to decide how they would respond to his current situation. According to him, some might speak publicly, others might remain silent, while some could distance themselves from past relationships.
The former governor said he did not intend to judge people simply because their reactions differed from what others or he himself might have expected.
His remarks reflect his stated position on personal relationships and expectations. Other political figures have also recently featured in reports about their public activities, including the Presidency’s response to Peter Obi over Anambra’s debt.
Adversity Has Made Him Reflect on Relationships
El-Rufai said the experiences he had encountered in recent months had prompted him to reconsider some of his relationships.
“Adversity has a way of illuminating relationships,” he said.
He added that the experience might lead him to reconsider the nature of certain relationships and the expectations of people who looked up to him.
However, El-Rufai stressed that reflecting on those relationships should not be interpreted as condemnation or reproach.
“That is neither reproach nor condemnation; it is simply part of seeing people, and life, more clearly,” he said.
The former governor’s statement focused on his personal reflections rather than making specific accusations against individuals. Meanwhile, political developments across the country have continued to attract attention, including reports on the NDC’s grassroots mobilisation in the South-East.
Former Governor Says He Has No Regrets
El-Rufai maintained that he did not regret supporting people or causes whenever he believed doing so was right.
He said the decisions of others would not change the principles that had guided his actions.
“I have no regrets about standing by people or for causes when I believed it was right to do so, and I bear no resentment towards anyone who chooses not to do the same for me,” he said.
His statement also comes amid wider political activity and debate in Nigeria. Recent coverage has included Dino Melaye’s comments on possible mass action and Remi Tinubu’s appeal for Nigerians to re-elect her husband.
El-Rufai Rejects Revenge or Retribution
Addressing what he described as possible injustice, ingratitude or injury against him, El-Rufai said he would not seek revenge.
“As for any injustice, ingratitude or injury done to me, I seek neither revenge nor retribution. Ultimate accountability belongs to Almighty Allah, and I leave that judgment to Him, in this world and in the Hereafter,” he said.
He said his priority was to remain at peace with his conscience and with Almighty Allah.
El-Rufai concluded that everyone must live with the choices they make and that posterity would ultimately assess those choices.
“In the end, each of us must live with the choices we make, and posterity will render whatever verdict it sees fit. My only concern is to remain at peace with my conscience and, above all, with Almighty Allah,” he said.
The former governor’s statement centred on forgiveness, personal principles and his response to relationships during difficult circumstances. He reiterated that he would not allow other people’s decisions to alter the values that had guided him.
Other political stories have also examined public statements and disputes involving Nigerian leaders, including the debate over electoral funds raised by SERAP and calls for young Nigerians to participate more actively in politics.
El-Rufai Emphasises Conscience and Faith
Throughout the statement, El-Rufai referred to his faith and conscience as the principles guiding his response to the situation.
He said he would leave ultimate accountability to Almighty Allah rather than pursue revenge or retribution against those he believed had wronged him.
His message also recognised that people could make different choices when relationships were tested by adversity. He said those choices would not make him regret the support he had previously offered.
The statement ended with his declaration that maintaining peace with his conscience and with Almighty Allah remained his principal concern.
