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

Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has reacted to those criticising him on social media, saying that their abuses and insults lack basis.

The former governor said he did not “give a damn” over misinterpretation of his posts, as he added that his critics were judgmental of him “in ignorance and bigotry”.

El-Rufai made this known in a post on his verified X.com account on Saturday.

“Interpret, mis-interpret or re-interpret 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 judgment in ignorance and bigotry. Nothing will change. What will be will be, in sha Allah.”

Netizens have heaped a barrage of criticisms on the former governor for a post he made last Saturday, speaking against envy and hatred among Nigerians.

He used the emergence of the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, as the presidential candidate of the Democrats as a case study.

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

“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.”

Reacting to the post, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke’s aide, Banks Omishore berated the ex-governor that he did not have a moral compass to discourage envy and hate because he displayed such against former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

El-Rufai has been battling political deficiencies since he left office as the Senate refused to confirm his nomination as a ministerial nominee in August 2023.

In March 2024, El-Rufai’s successor, Governor Uba Sani said he inherited a huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from him.

The Kaduna State House of Assembly, also alleged in July 2024, that the ex-governor diverted public funds to the tune of N423 billion while piloting the affairs of the state.