By Muhammad Mamman
Abuja, Nigeria — Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has said that no individual, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has the authority to compel him to appear before any panel or institution without due process.
Speaking during a public engagement, el-Rufai insisted that any invitation directed at him must follow formal procedures, stressing his respect for constitutional order.
“Nobody — not even the President — can tell me I have to do anything. If you want to invite me, you can write formally,” he said.
The outspoken former governor’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions and growing scrutiny of public officials across Nigeria, with several former office holders facing calls to account for their time in office.
El-Rufai, a prominent figure within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has previously positioned himself as a strong advocate of institutional integrity, often insisting that governance must be guided by law rather than political pressure.
His comments have since sparked widespread debate online, with supporters applauding his defence of due process, while critics argue that public officials must remain accountable to constituted authorities.
The Presidency has yet to respond to his statement.
