Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, has launched a scathing attack on Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, dismissing his claims of an impending arrest as a desperate attempt to garner public sympathy. Omokri described El-Rufai as a “master of manipulation” who has a history of fabricating stories to serve his personal interests. He cited El-Rufai’s past admission of spreading falsehoods in the media, including his role in creating the myth of a “cabal” around late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, as evidence of his dishonesty.
Omokri also referenced former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s autobiography, My Watch, which described El-Rufai as someone with a “penchant for reputation savaging” and “an inability to be loyal to anybody but himself.” He questioned El-Rufai’s claim that he postponed an overseas study to stay and challenge the government, suggesting that the former governor might not even be able to secure visas to Western countries due to his past controversial remarks. Omokri recalled how El-Rufai’s 2019 statement threatening foreign election observers with “body bags” led to a strong condemnation from the European Union.
The former presidential aide also accused El-Rufai of making false allegations against him and Senator Shehu Sani, claiming they were recruited to tarnish his reputation. “How can we destroy a reputation he never had?” Omokri retorted. He concluded by stating that El-Rufai’s arrest claims were likely a diversion tactic to cover up his inability to leave the country. “El-Rufai lies, manipulates, and deceives. That’s what he does best,” Omokri added. It’s worth noting that El-Rufai has previously clashed with Omokri, calling him a “political mercenary”
