A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Buba Galadima, has revealed that he warned former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against returning to Nigeria, fearing that he could be jailed.
Galadima said he also approached the NDC presidential running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and pleaded with him to persuade El-Rufai to remain in Egypt.
Speaking on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, Galadima said he had cautioned El-Rufai over the way he conducted himself, warning that his actions could expose him to legal troubles.
“I advised him that he should be careful of the way he carries himself, that he either goes on exile or they will jail him,” Galadima said.
He added that he subsequently met Kwankwaso and asked him to prevail on El-Rufai not to return to Nigeria.
Galadima, however, said he was not claiming to be El-Rufai’s closest ally, while accusing President Bola Tinubu and his associates of being ungrateful to the former Kaduna governor.
The NDC chieftain’s comments come against the backdrop of legal proceedings involving El-Rufai, who has faced allegations before anti-corruption and security agencies.
El-Rufai has denied wrongdoing in the matters, while the allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
Galadima said his warning to the former governor was motivated by his assessment of the risks he could face upon returning to the country.