A former Special Adviser on Political Matters to Vice President Kashim Shettima, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said it is very difficult to advise former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai.
The former governor’s confrontation is escalating his legal and political troubles.
Baba-Ahmed disclosed this on Tuesday when he fielded question on Channels Television, during which he added that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain was not holding back when there was need for demands caution and strategic recalibration.
He said el-Rufai’s primary should focus on addressing the corruption allegations linked to his tenure in Kaduna State instead of escalating his situation, adding that “this is a government that takes no prisoners. They are alleging that while he was in office, he embezzled money and stole money.”
Baba-Ahmed warned the former governor that escalation could only deepen his woes, adding that “when you find yourself in a ditch, stop digging, and that recent actions by the former governor have only “escalated and reinforced the hostility against him.”
“Now they are saying we have three issues against you. You have to answer questions about your custody of the people of Kaduna State’s money. Then you have to answer our questions regarding the comments you made on live TV that you are involved in bugging Malam Nuhu Ribadu’s phone. Now you’ve written a letter revealing the notice you have that the National Security Adviser is in custody of poisonous material.”
Baba-Ahmed questioned that “how far do you want to go in this?”, just as he highlighted the issue from a broader political perspective, saying el-Rufai’s value to the ADC lies in political effectiveness rather than prolonged entanglement in legal and security controversies.
“You’re a very prominent member of the ADC. You are more useful to the ADC as a free man, not encumbered by a lot of allegations and fights.
“There are just so many fronts that you’ll fight. So try and limit the damage. Focus your attention on getting yourself cleaned up, on the allegation that you stole money from the people of Kaduna State,” he said.
His remarks come amid a swirl of controversies surrounding el-Rufai.
Apart from the corruption allegations tied to his time as governor, the former minister recently acknowledged accessing an intercepted telephone conversation involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu as well as accusing Ribadu of importing 10 kilogrammes of thallium sulphate, a toxic substance.
