Frankly, I don’t give a damn, El-Rufai tell critics

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has responded to his critics on social media, stating that the abuses and insults directed at him are baseless.

El-Rufai dismissed the criticisms, saying he does not “give a damn” about the misinterpretation of his posts and accused his critics of being judgmental “in ignorance and bigotry.”

El-Rufai made this statement in a post on his verified X.com account on Saturday, where he addressed the ongoing backlash against him.

“Interpret, misinterpret, or reinterpret any posts by me or any other as you wish. I frankly don’t give a damn,” he wrote.

“Abuse and insult with no basis. By all means, pass your judgement in ignorance and bigotry. Nothing will change. What will be, will be, in sha Allah.”

The former governor has faced a wave of criticism from social media users following a post he made last Saturday, where he spoke against envy and hatred among Nigerians.

In his post, El-Rufai cited the emergence of the U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate as an example.

“The emerging problem of Nigeria is the outcome of the continuously deteriorating competence, capacity, and commitment of the political leadership,” El-Rufai stated. “Societies succeed or fail depending on these personal and institutional qualities.”

He added, “No matter what, the incurable virus of envy has to be confronted and degraded, if not cured, if Nigeria is to achieve its manifest destiny of greatness and leadership of the Black Race. I pray this can be realised.”

In response to El-Rufai’s post, Banks Omishore, an aide to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, criticised the former governor, claiming he lacked the moral authority to speak against envy and hatred, citing El-Rufai’s past conduct toward former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Since leaving office, El-Rufai has faced several political challenges. In August 2023, the Senate declined to confirm his nomination as a ministerial nominee.

Further controversies have followed, with his successor, Governor Uba Sani, revealing in March 2024 that he inherited a significant debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from El-Rufai’s administration.

In July 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly also accused the former governor of diverting public funds amounting to N423 billion during his tenure.