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| Photo credit — Buba Galadima |
A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has accused President Bola Tinubu and members of his political circle of ingratitude toward former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Speaking on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, Galadima claimed that El-Rufai contributed meaningfully to the political efforts that helped Tinubu win the 2023 presidential election, yet the relationship later deteriorated sharply.
Galadima stated that he is not a close friend of El-Rufai but still felt compelled to warn him. According to the NDC chieftain, he advised the former governor to be careful in his conduct, suggesting that remaining outside Nigeria or going into exile might be safer than risking prosecution and possible imprisonment upon return.
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“Tinubu and his people are ingrates as far as El-Rufai is concerned. I’m not the best friend of El-Rufai. In fact, I advised him that he should be careful of the way he carries himself, that he either goes into exile or they will jail him,” Galadima said.
He further disclosed that he approached Rabiu Kwankwaso (described in the interview as the NDC presidential running mate) and urged him to persuade El-Rufai not to return from Egypt after reports of indictment.
“I went and met Kwankwaso and told Kwankwaso that he should beg El-Rufai not to come back. These people do not mean well to him,” Galadima added.
Reports indicate that El-Rufai returned to Nigeria and was subsequently arrested and detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in February 2026, facing various allegations that have been the subject of ongoing legal and political discussion.
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Background context
Nasir El-Rufai served as governor of Kaduna State and earlier held federal positions. His political relationship with Tinubu shifted over time—from support around the 2023 election to open criticism after he was not retained in a federal role.
Galadima, a long-time northern political figure now aligned with the NDC, has been vocal on opposition politics and 2027 election dynamics.
These comments form part of a wider pattern of public statements by politicians reflecting on loyalty, fallout, and legal pressures in Nigerian politics.
Galadima’s remarks remain his personal account and claims; they have not been independently confirmed in the podcast discussion itself regarding private conversations with Kwankwaso or El-Rufai.
What this highlights
Political alliances in Nigeria can shift rapidly. Contributions during campaigns do not always translate into lasting protection or positions once power dynamics change. Galadima’s warning about exile versus prosecution also underscores how high the personal stakes can become for prominent figures who fall out with the government of the day.
Readers should note that these are statements made by one political actor on a podcast. Official responses from the Tinubu administration, El-Rufai’s camp, or Kwankwaso were not part of the reported interview.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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