By Muhammad Mamman
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has said he will not be intimidated or silenced for criticising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, insisting that his role in helping bring Tinubu to power does not mean he must remain quiet when things go wrong.
In a fiery statement, El-Rufai rejected claims that those who supported Tinubu’s election should refrain from pointing out policy failures or governance shortcomings.
“You can’t blackmail me for criticising Tinubu,” he said. “So, because I helped in bringing Tinubu to power, I shouldn’t criticise him when he is failing?”
The former governor argued that loyalty to Nigeria must come before loyalty to any political ally, stressing that constructive criticism is essential for democratic accountability.
El-Rufai has recently been vocal about economic decisions taken by the federal government, warning that Nigerians are facing worsening hardship and that reforms must be recalibrated.
His comments add to the growing national debate over the pace and impact of the administration’s economic policies, which have sparked widespread public concern.
