Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has formally distanced himself from recent remarks about his political future, which were attributed to someone described by the media as a “political associate.”
In a disclaimer issued on his behalf on April 14, his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, stated that El-Rufai did not authorize such comments and rejected any suggestion that he would outsource the expression of his political views.
“Throughout his public life, Malam Nasir @elrufai has been known for the frank articulation of his views. He is not about to outsource the expression of his political views and thoughts to others,” the statement read. “His public communication would continue to be issued directly by him or through his authorised spokesperson.”
The disclaimer comes amid a swirl of social media articles and news stories claiming that the former governor is eyeing the presidency and would contest after his ongoing trial with security operatives. El-Rufai has been involved in a long-running legal and security matter, detailing abuse of office and diversion of public funds.
Adekeye’s statement did not address the substance of the alleged political aspirations directly, but firmly rejected the notion that any third party could speak for El-Rufai on the matter.
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai wishes to dissociate himself from comments regarding political aspirations which have been attributed to someone described by the media as a political associate,” the statement added.
El-Rufai, a prominent figure previously in the All Progressives Congress (APC), and now in the opposition African Democratic Congress(ADC), has been vocal about national issues but has not publicly declared any intention to run for president in the upcoming election cycle.