Hakeem Baba-Ahmed: "El-Rufai Is a Very Difficult Person to Advise" Amid Feud with NSA Ribadu

 In a candid interview on Channels Television, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, described former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as "a very difficult person to advise" by character and temperament.

The remarks came amid escalating tensions between El-Rufai and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, once close allies. Baba-Ahmed called their relationship "poisonous" and potentially dangerous for Nigeria's political landscape, highlighting mutual threats of legal action.

"If I were to advise El-Rufai, there are so few fronts that you'd fight, so try and limit the damage, focus your attention on getting yourself cleaned up on allegations that you stole money from the people," Baba-Ahmed said.

He added that El-Rufai's temperament makes advice hard to accept, suggesting the former governor might have benefited from restraint on issues like wiretapping claims.

Baba-Ahmed stressed that the barrage of accusations against El-Rufai—including corruption—should face judicial scrutiny rather than being waved off as political maneuvering.

The comments reflect broader concerns over accountability, the rule of law, and elite rivalries in Nigerian politics, especially as 2027 elections loom.

This development follows recent incidents, including El-Rufai's reported airport drama upon return from abroad, which some view as testing state institutions.