Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai still owes his former political associates for their contributions to the political structure that helped him win elections, his former Chief of Staff, Bashir Saidu, has claimed.
Saidu made the remarks during an interview with RFI Hausa, where he rejected allegations that he and other former allies betrayed El-Rufai by withdrawing their political support.
He argued that El-Rufai did not build his political machinery alone, noting that several of his associates had been active in politics long before the former governor joined them.
“We begged him to join politics,” Saidu declared, insisting that the contributions and sacrifices of those who helped establish their political network should not be overlooked.
Saidu Recalls Political History
The former Chief of Staff traced his political involvement to the era of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
He also mentioned Professor Ango Abdullahi and other prominent political figures as individuals familiar with the history of their political activities.
Saidu challenged the perception that El-Rufai single-handedly controlled the political structure associated with his rise to power, maintaining that the network was built through the collective efforts of several political associates.
According to him, those now accused of abandoning the former governor made significant sacrifices during their political struggle.
Former Aide Denies Abandoning El-Rufai
Saidu also dismissed claims that he abandoned El-Rufai during difficult times, recounting his own experiences of detention and imprisonment.
He said he was arrested on New Year’s Eve and spent 50 days in prison before being released. He added that he was subsequently involved in several court proceedings, after which his bail was revoked, leading to another 54 days behind bars.
Saidu further recalled spending the last Eid-el-Adha celebration in prison.
“It is an outright lie to say we abandoned him,” he insisted.
He explained that the disagreement developed after some members of their political camp became convinced that their loyalty and sacrifices were no longer appreciated.
Political Succession Dispute Deepened Rift
Saidu said his relationship with El-Rufai had extended beyond politics into a family-level association, making the allegations of betrayal particularly troubling.
He also identified disagreements over political succession in Kaduna State as one of the factors that contributed to the breakdown of their alliance.
According to him, members of their political camp supported Malam Jaafaru as their preferred candidate without knowing that El-Rufai had already settled on another candidate.
The disagreement, he suggested, further exposed divisions within the political camp that had previously worked together.
El-Rufai’s Complaint About Former Allies
Saidu’s comments followed El-Rufai’s recent complaint that some people he supported during difficult periods had turned their backs on him.
However, the former Chief of Staff maintained that the decision to part ways was driven by dissatisfaction with how El-Rufai treated his political associates.
His remarks have brought renewed attention to the political disagreements among former allies and the competing accounts of how their once-close relationship deteriorated.
While El-Rufai has expressed disappointment over the loss of support from former associates, Saidu insists that their contributions to his political rise deserve recognition and that their separation should not be portrayed simply as an act of betrayal.