The Joint Action Movement of Nigeria (JAMN), on Friday, criticised former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for his intervention in the ongoing dispute between National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and Hajiya Najatu Mohammed.

The group further accused El-Rufai of attempting to rewrite history, saying that after inflicting hardship and humiliation on a large section of Kaduna State’s population, he now seeks to reinvent himself as a champion of the North.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Lawal Sani Ningi, and secretary, Deborah Kantiok, JAMN described El-Rufai’s remarks as reckless, misleading, and self-serving, accusing him of prioritising political manipulation over truth and accountability.

At the centre of the controversy are serious allegations made by Mohammed in a viral video, where she claimed that Ribadu, during his tenure as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), sought to block the political aspirations of Bola Tinubu, George Akume, and Orji Kalu, whom she described as Nigeria’s most corrupt governors. Ribadu has since demanded evidence, warning of legal consequences for unverified accusations.

He said: “El-Rufai’s intervention is particularly alarming given the backdrop of his own legal troubles. Reports indicate that he is facing pending accusations of financial irregularities from the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

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“His public support for Najatu Mohammed appears strategically timed, potentially serving as a distraction from his own legal challenges. By aligning himself with a controversial claim, El-Rufai risks further eroding his credibility and prioritising political expediency over truth and accountability.

“The Joint Action Movement of Nigeria is deeply concerned about the implications of El-Rufai’s actions, which reflect a broader pattern of behaviour marked by betrayal, inconsistency, and a lack of ethical integrity.

“His tenure as Governor of Kaduna State was marred by accusations of dehumanisation and the arbitrary dismissal of individuals, actions that starkly contradict his self-proclaimed role as a defender of the ‘cultured North.’ Such conduct is not that of a statesman but of a cynical politician seeking to manipulate public opinion for personal gain.

“The embarrassment of El-Rufai seeking a ministerial appointment, only to have his candidacy withdrawn amid ethical concerns, underscores his refusal to accept accountability for his questionable record.

“Instead of reflecting on his past actions, he has chosen a path of confrontation and unsubstantiated claims against the very administration that deemed him unfit for public service. This behaviour reeks of bitterness and desperation, as he attempts to regain relevance through manufactured outrage.”