Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has responded to criticisms on social media, stating that the insults and abuse hurled at him lack basis.
El-Rufai, the former governor, said he is unaffected by the misinterpretation of his posts, as he believes his critics are judging him in ignorance and bigotry.
In a post on his verified Twitter account on Saturday, El-Rufai wrote: “Interpret, misinterpret, or reinterpret any posts by me or anyone else as you wish. I frankly don’t give a damn. Abuse and insult with no basis. By all means, pass your judgment in ignorance and bigotry. Nothing will change. What will be will be, insha’Allah.”
El-Rufai’s statement has drawn intense criticism from netizens who have been expressing their discontent with his recent post on Twitter. The post, which appeared on Saturday, was critical of envy and hatred among Nigerians.
El-Rufai used the example of Kamala Harris’s emergence as the Democratic presidential candidate in the United States to illustrate his point. He stated that societies succeed or fail based on the personal and institutional qualities of their leaders.
“No matter what, the incurable virus of envy has to be confronted and degraded, if not cured, if Nigeria is to achieve its manifest destiny of greatness and leadership of the Black Race,” El-Rufai posted. “I pray this can be realized.”
However, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s aide, Banks Omishore, countered El-Rufai’s statement, arguing that he did not have the moral authority to discourage envy and hate because he had displayed such sentiments against former Senate President Bukola Saraki in the past.
El-Rufai has been facing political challenges since leaving office. In August 2023, the Senate refused to confirm his nomination as a ministerial nominee. Furthermore, his successor, Governor Uba Sani, accused him of leaving behind a significant debt burden when he took office in March 2024.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly also alleged that El-Rufai diverted public funds amounting to N423 billion during his tenure as governor.
