By Muhammad Mamman
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has strongly defended his decades-long public service record, insisting he has never taken any money he was not entitled to throughout his career in government.
Speaking on Tuesday, El-Rufai highlighted his various roles — including Adviser to former President Abdulsalami Abubakar, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and later governor of Kaduna State — stressing that his integrity had remained intact across all positions.
“I have been in public service for a long time. I have been Adviser to President Abdulsalami, DG BPE, FCT Minister, and governor of Kaduna State. I swear to God that I have never taken a penny that I’m not entitled to,” he said.
The former governor’s remarks come amid heightened public scrutiny of the assets and conduct of senior political figures. His comments were also accompanied by praise for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he described as a party “littered with uncorruptible people,” suggesting that integrity remains a central pillar of its political identity.
El-Rufai has long positioned himself as an advocate of reforms and transparency in public administration, often defending his policies and financial decisions during his time in office.
The remarks have sparked mixed reactions, with some political observers viewing them as a reaffirmation of his image as a reform-minded technocrat, while others see them as a response to growing public debates around accountability in governance.
As discussions around corruption, transparency, and public trust continue to dominate Nigeria’s political space, El-Rufai’s emphatic defence adds a new dimension to the ongoing national conversation.
