Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has accused a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, of allegedly misrepresenting the President Bola Tinubu administration’s security efforts in Kaduna.

Omokri claimed El-Rufai is frustrated by his inability to influence his successor, Senator Uba Sani, and control Kaduna’s governance.

He said: “Throughout the eight years that el-Rufai misruled Kaduna, not a single bandit leader was arrested, killed or convicted.

“But under the Tinubu administration, more than 14 notoriously murderous bandit leaders have been killed, including the following Kachalla Ali Kawaje, Kachalla Halilu Sububu, Kachalla Damina, Kachalla Dangote and Kachalla Jafaru.

“Others are Kachalla Barume, Kachalla Shehu, Tsoho, Kachalla Yellow Mai Buhu, Yellow Sirajo, Kachalla Dan Muhammadu, Kachalla Makasko, Yellow Hassan, Boderi, Kachalla Dan Ba Birki and Auta Dan Mai Jan Kai.

“And as a result of this, peace has returned to Kaduna and its neighbouring states. No more do we see photos of prominent persons having meetings with heavily armed Kachallaa/bandit leaders in broad daylight and without consequences, as occurred under Nasir el-Rufai.”

Omokri further stated that ransom payments to bandits have stopped, adding, “Instead, bandits are being killed, arrested, tried and convicted.”

He maintained that the current administration has made significant progress in tackling banditry.

It will be recalled that Omokri had, on February 25, 2025, alleged that El-Rufai was embittered about his failed ministerial ambition and attacking Tinubu in bitterness. The former aide was, at the time, reacting to an earlier interview El-Rufai granted Arise TV where he told Nigerians to disregard reports claiming the National Assembly rejected his nomination. El-Rufai claimed that Tinubu, who initially said he would nominate him as a minister, changed his mind

Reacting to the ex-governor’s claim, Omokri, in a post on X, said that the former Kaduna governor was rejected by the Senate as a minister-nominee because he failed the mandatory security clearance required for ministerial appointments as he was deemed a “diplomatic liability” to Nigeria, among other reasons.

On Wednesday, while reacting to an X post by Imran U. Wakili, El-Rufai, who did not directly reference Omokri, described the former aide as lacking ‘total shamelessness.’

The Guardian reports that Wakili had shared a photo of El-Rufai and Omokri, accompanied by the caption: “The greatest thing a mentor can offer is the freedom, recognition, and opportunities you need to succeed in life, far more valuable than money. A former minister who noticed you when you were unknown and helped you build a reputation has already given you everything. Unfortunately, wisdom has nothing to do with age!”

El-Rufai, responding to Wakili’s post via his verified X handle, @elrufai, retorted: “Please Imran, let them be. They are PR consultants and online influencers. It is a new profession thriving in the Renewed Hope era because propaganda can build infrastructure, eliminate insecurity and address our economic challenges. The only qualifications needed to be on the payroll are (1) moral flexibility, (2) total shamelessness, (3) selective amnesia, (4) wretched upbringing and (5) intense craving for quick and easy money. The future doesn’t matter. Integrity is debatable. Truth is out!!”