Fear of Trump behind el-Rufai’s cancelled overseas studies, Omokri alleges

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has been accused of cancelling his plans for further studies abroad due to fears of arrest and prosecution by the administration of returning U.S. President, Donald Trump. This claim was made by former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, who suggested that el-Rufai’s real reason for staying in Nigeria is his apprehension about Trump’s stance on religious persecution.

The Guardian reports that el-Rufai, who has been embroiled in a war of words with the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), had on February 11, 2025, dismissed speculation that he might flee the country amid alleged plans by the Bola Tinubu administration to arrest and torture him.

Responding to a post by an X user, Imran Wakili, about an alleged plot to arrest him, the former governor confirmed that he would return to Nigeria from Egypt before February 20, 2025, adding that he would not be intimidated by the current administration.

He said, “I have been hearing these same rumours of arrest, detention and torture in some dungeon in the NSA’s office (where Emefiele was allegedly tortured to resign as CBN governor), since July 2024 when the so-called report of the Kaduna Assembly began circulating.

“They freaked out when we challenged the legality of the premeditated defamation and went to every length to compromise the judicial process, and this is continuing at the Court of Appeal.

“They have sent such similar messages of intimidation and threats through many of my friends, family and political associates because they want me to go on self-imposed exile.

“I will not.

“I have now put all my previous academic and language-learning plans on hold and will spend more time in Nigeria than ever before. Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option.

“The arrest, detention and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs. I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments.

“There is always a morning after the arrest or detention or torture, and political life continues. As for death, it is when Allah destinies it, and it is ultimately the date of every human.

“For the attention of the pathetic characters that don’t sleep well whenever I am in Nigeria, take notice that I intend to return in time for the launch of Pres IBB’s memoirs, in sha Allah, scheduled for 20th February.

“We depend on no one but Allah. We fear no mortal but Almighty Allah. We always hope for the best but plan for the worst.”

However, Omokri, in a statement shared on X on Friday, dismissed el-Rufai’s claim that he suspended his academic pursuit due to alleged threats of arrest by President Tinubu’s administration.

Instead, Omokri alleged that el-Rufai is concerned about potential legal actions from the Trump-led U.S. government, given his past controversial remarks and policies.

Omokri recalled that in 2019, el-Rufai sparked global outrage when he threatened European Union election observers, warning that they would “go back in body bags” if they intervened in Nigeria’s elections. Additionally, el-Rufai has admitted to paying off violent herdsmen, a claim that drew significant backlash from human rights activists.

With Trump’s recent announcement of a task force to hold leaders accountable for targeting Christians, Omokri suggested that el-Rufai’s decision to remain in Nigeria is tied to fears of being on the U.S. radar.

Omokri also cited an event in Washington D.C. in 2017, where U.S. Congressman and Trump ally, Christopher Smith, reportedly named el-Rufai as one of those responsible for making Nigeria unsafe for Christians. He noted that el-Rufai avoided travelling to the United States throughout Trump’s first term from 2016 to 2020.

El-Rufai was recently rejected by the Nigerian Senate for a ministerial position, with lawmakers citing concerns over his “reckless” statements and reports of violence during his tenure as Kaduna State governor. Omokri noted that this was not the first time el-Rufai faced Senate rejection, recalling a similar scenario during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration in 2003.

Omokri concluded that with Trump’s return to power, el-Rufai’s past actions might be catching up with him, making international travel a risky endeavour.

Omokri wrote:
Exposed: Fear of Trump Behind Nasir el-Rufai’s Sudden Cancellation of Overseas Studies

Contrary to his claims that he was suspending his plans for further studies abroad because President Tinubu wants to arrest him and he is not a coward, Nasir el-Rufai is fearful of arrest and prosecution by the Trump administration, which is the real reason he wants to sit tight in Nigeria.

It may be recalled that Nasir el-Rufai publicly admitted to paying killer herdsmen, an admission that did not go down well with the pro-religious freedom Trump administration.

Things, however, took a turn for the worse on Thursday, February 7, 2019, after Malam Nasir el-Rufai threatened European Union observers with death if they intervened in Nigeria’s impending Presidential elections, which were to take place on Saturday, February 16, 2019.

On that day, Mr. el-Rufai said:

“We are waiting for the person who will come and intervene. They will go back in body bags because nobody will come to Nigeria and tell us how to run our country.”

The above statement and his admission of guilt with regard to paying killer herdsmen have ignited a fear of travelling to the United States in Mr. el-Rufai, especially after President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would go after leaders who targeted Christians.

True to his promise, President Trump set up a task force for that purpose last Thursday, February 6, 2025.

Exactly five days after President Trump set up that task force, Malam Nasir el-Rufai manufactured the excuse that President Bola Tinubu wanted to arrest him, so he cancelled all his plans to study abroad.

In 2017, at an event in Washington DC that had former President Jonathan, Peter Obi and myself in attendance, Nasir el-Rufai’s name was cited by Republican Congressman and strong Trump ally Christopher Smith as one of those responsible for making Nigeria the most dangerous place in the world for Christians.

You see that video that Obidients are always brandishing of Peter Obi and I? It was recorded during that event. The next day, Saturday, 4, 2017, ThisDay ran the headline:

“Nigeria ‘Cited Most Dangerous Place for Christians in the World’, Says US Congress”

Throughout Trump’s first term from 2016-2020, Nasir el-Rufai refused to set foot in America. Now Trump has returned, and el-Rufai is jittery.

If you read the reasons the Senate gave for rejecting President Tinubu’s el-Rufai ministerial nomination, his “reckless” statements and the extreme bloodshed during his tenure were cited as reasons.

Nasir’s supporters should note that Malam el-Rufai was rejected by the Senate, not Tinubu. President Tinubu kept to his word. And this is not the first time. He was also rejected when President Obasanjo sent his name to the Senate in 2003. Nigerians can research the story of how he was eventually cleared then.

There was a cause. And shortly after the cause, Malam Nasir el-Rufai reacted. This is a simple case of cause and effect.

Nasir el-Rufai’s cup is full. His sins have found him out. The blood of the thousands of Christians and Shiites killed while he reigned as the Butcher of Kaduna has cried out for justice.