Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Alleged Smear Campaign and Corruption Deflection

Reporting by Daily Post indicates that the Presidency has launched a sharp verbal offensive against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of attempting to create national tension to evade accountability. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, stated that El-Rufai’s recent criticisms of the administration are a “deliberate misinformation” tactic designed to project him as a victim of political persecution. The Presidency claims the former governor is attempting to “nationalize his personal problems” related to corruption allegations in his home state.
The friction reached a boiling point following El-Rufai’s return to Nigeria, where he reportedly slammed the APC-led Federal Government during a television interview. This was followed by a reported attempt by the Department of State Services (DSS) to intercept him at the Abuja airport, an incident that has sparked intense debate among political observers regarding the limits of executive power and the rights of former officials.
The Punch and Channels TV have followed the brewing crisis closely. The Punch reported that “the National Security Adviser and El-Rufai are at loggerheads over allegations of toxic chemical procurement,” while Channels TV noted that “the former governor has officially asked for clarification on reports involving the NSA’s office.”
Echotitbits take: The gloves are off in the battle between the Presidency and El-Rufai. This is more than just a war of words; it’s a high-stakes political chess game ahead of the 2027 cycle. Watch if the EFCC or DSS formalizes charges soon, as this will determine if El-Rufai remains a free political agent or a sidelined defendant.
Source: Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/goldmyntv/posts/presidency-el-rufai-stirring-tension-to-dodge-432bn-corruption-probethe-presiden/1355881949886954/?_rdc=1&_rdr#, February 16, 2026
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