Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai says he harbours no resentment against former associates, friends and family members who have chosen to remain silent or distance themselves from him during his current difficulties.
El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stated this in a message titled “My Relationships and the Aftermath”, which he shared on his X handle on Wednesday.
The former governor said his decision to support people and causes over the years was driven by his Islamic faith, Arewa upbringing, personal values and conscience rather than expectations of gratitude or reciprocity.
“Over the years, I have stood by people and for causes I believed in, sometimes in difficult circumstances and at considerable personal cost. I did so not in expectation of praise, gratitude or reciprocity, but because I believed it was right,” he said.
According to him, those he had supported were entitled to determine how they would respond to his present circumstances.
He noted that while some could choose to speak in his defence, others might remain silent, distance themselves from him or even deny relationships they previously had with him.
“Those I have supported are free to make their own choices now that circumstances are reversed. Some may speak; others may remain silent. Others may even deny our relationship or try rewriting history,” he said.
El-Rufai added that he was not interested in judging people simply because their responses differed from what he or others might have expected.
“Their reasons are their own, and I do not wish to judge them merely because their response differs from what others—or even I—might have expected,” he said.
Reflecting on his experiences in recent months, the former governor said adversity had provided him with an opportunity to reassess some of his relationships.
“Adversity has a way of illuminating relationships,” he said, adding that the experience could make him reconsider the nature of certain relationships and what those who look up to him expect from them.
He, however, stressed that such reflection should not be interpreted as an attack on those concerned.
“That is neither reproach nor condemnation; it is simply part of seeing people, and life, more clearly,” he said.
El-Rufai said he had no regrets about standing by people and causes whenever he believed doing so was the right thing to do.
“I have no regrets about standing by people or for causes when I believed it was right to do so, and I bear no resentment towards anyone who chooses not to do the same for me,” he said.
On alleged injustices, ingratitude or injuries suffered by him, El-Rufai said he would not pursue revenge or retribution.
“As for any injustice, ingratitude or injury done to me, I seek neither revenge nor retribution. Ultimate accountability belongs to Almighty Allah, and I leave that judgment to Him, in this world and in the Hereafter,” he said.
The former governor said his ultimate concern was to remain at peace with his conscience and his faith, leaving posterity to judge the choices made by individuals.
“In the end, each of us must live with the choices we make, and posterity will render whatever verdict it sees fit. My only concern is to remain at peace with my conscience and, above all, with Almighty Allah,” he said.
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