- Halimah Olamide
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has said he will not be moved and be distracted from his present assignment by the comments about him made by former governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
Ribadu was reacting to comments made by El-Rufai during his interview with Arise TV Monday night.
The NSA said he is too preoccupied with his National assignment than engage in media fight with the former Kaduna governor.
While admitting to have never spoken ill of El-Rufai owing to the respect he had for him, Ribadu, however, urged the public to disregard what he said against him.
He denied the alleged claim of his intention to run for 2031 Presidential election, stressing that his focus and energy are towards the advancement of Nigeria and the success of the President Tinubu administration.
“My attention has been drawn to the interview granted by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State Monday evening.
“If my silence wouldn’t risk being construed as consent, I would have ignored him. I am too preoccupied with my current assignment as to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else.
“Despite the incessant baiting and attacks I have never spoken ill of Nasir on record anywhere. This is out of respect for our past association and our respective families. I will not start today.
“I however urge the public to disregard El-rufai’s statements against me.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I want to put it on record that I have never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody. All my focus and energy are geared completely towards the advancement of Nigeria and the success of the President Tinubu administration.
“I therefore ask Nasir El-Rufai to allow me face my onerous national assignment just as I do not bother myself with his own affairs.“ Ribadu wrote.
NPO Reports that the former governor had spoken on a wide range of issues including how he was schemed out of his ministerial nomination by President Bola Tinubu.
He also spoke on what next for him having been left by the All Progressive Congress (APC), noting that he is not leaving politics.