Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has addressed the silence of some of his former colleagues, friends, and family members amid his current circumstances, saying he bears neither hatred nor resentment toward those who have chosen not to stand by him.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory made this known in a statement titled “My Relationships and the Aftermath”, released on his X handle on Wednesday.
El-Rufai said he had supported people and causes over the years based on his Islamic faith, Arewa upbringing, personal values and conscience, rather than an expectation of praise or reciprocity.
“Over the years, I have stood by people and for causes I believed in, sometimes in difficult circumstances and at considerable personal cost. I did so not in expectation of praise, gratitude or reciprocity, but because I believed it was right,” he said.
El-Rufai said those he had supported were free to decide how they would respond to his present circumstances, noting that some might speak, remain silent or even distance themselves from previous relationships.
“Those I have supported are free to make their own choices now that circumstances are reversed. Some may speak; others may remain silent. Others may even deny our relationship or try rewriting history,” he said.
He added, “Their reasons are their own, and I do not wish to judge them merely because their response differs from what others—or even I—might have expected.”
The former governor said his experiences in recent months had also caused him to reflect on some of his relationships.
“Adversity has a way of illuminating relationships,” El-Rufai said, adding that the experience might lead him to “reconsider the nature of certain relationships and what those that look up to me expect of them.”
He stressed that such reflection should not be interpreted as condemnation.
“That is neither reproach nor condemnation; it is simply part of seeing people, and life, more clearly,” he said.
El-Rufai said he had no regrets about supporting people or causes when he believed it was right to do so, adding that he would not allow the actions of others to change the principles that had guided him.
“I have no regrets about standing by people or for causes when I believed it was right to do so, and I bear no resentment towards anyone who chooses not to do the same for me,” he said.
On any perceived injustice, ingratitude or injury against him, the former governor said he would not seek revenge.
“As for any injustice, ingratitude or injury done to me, I seek neither revenge nor retribution. Ultimate accountability belongs to Almighty Allah, and I leave that judgment to Him, in this world and in the Hereafter,” he said.
El-Rufai concluded that his priority was to remain at peace with his conscience and with Almighty Allah.
“In the end, each of us must live with the choices we make, and posterity will render whatever verdict it sees fit. My only concern is to remain at peace with my conscience and, above all, with Almighty Allah,” he said.
(Punch)
