El-Rufai’s Rift with Tinubu Is About Revenge, Not Alliance with Obi – Aisha Yesufu

Prominent activist Aisha Yesufu has accused former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of being motivated by personal grudges against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, rather than forging genuine alliances with opposition figures such as Peter Obi.

Yesufu, co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, said on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday that El-Rufai’s recent alignment with dissenting voices had nothing to do with her or Obi, but stemmed from resentment after being sidelined by his political allies.

“El-Rufai came because he has been hurt by his teammates and he needs revenge. It’s personal to him and he wants by all means for Tinubu to be removed, which is a goal that currently unites us,” she wrote.

The outspoken campaigner, known for her relentless criticism of government excesses, maintained that her fight remains rooted in the pursuit of justice and rule of law. She highlighted the unresolved disappearance of activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, as a glaring example of Nigeria’s systemic failures.

Yesufu stressed that social justice movements thrive on diverse strategies, noting that some activists play the role of uncompromising hardliners while others act as bridge-builders. She urged patience, insisting that accountability, though delayed, is inevitable.

“People have paid for genocidal acts even after decades. It can happen in Nigeria too. Let’s get a nation with good governance and rule of law,” she added.

Her remarks come amid growing speculation about El-Rufai’s political future, as deepening divisions within the ruling class fuel uncertainty in Nigeria’s political landscape