‘I Didn’t Send Out Cryptic Messages’, El-Rufai Clarifies Previous Tweets

 

Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i, the former governor of Kaduna State, has clarified that his recent post on X was a reminder of ultimate accountability and not intended to unsettle anyone.

Earlier this week, El-Rufai’s tweet sparked interest, with many accusing him of criticizing the current administration of Governor Uba Sani. An X user had posted pictures of refuse dumps in parts of the state, sarcastically stating, “This is the type of change we are getting from the best Governor in Nigeria.”

Quoting the post, El-Rufai said, “From God we all came, and to Him we shall all return,” which many interpreted as sarcastic. The former governor also used the same statement in response to recent Supreme Court judgments.

In a post on his X handle on Friday, El-Rufa’i stated that his words had been misinterpreted and insisted that the message was neither cryptic nor coded.

He said, “FRIDAY MESSAGE: It seems to me that my translation of ‘inna lillahi wa inna ilaihir raa ji’un’ meaning ‘from God we all came and to Him we shall all return’ has been reinterpreted by those obsessed with reading my post as a ‘cryptic message’ to some unnamed persons.

“It seems to me that the reminder has unsettled some people and distressed a lot more. It is neither a cryptic nor a coded message. Just a reminder of ultimate accountability and judgment of God, not that of infallible humans.

I will end it here and today as I do not want to unsettle or distress anyone. Enjoy the weekend. – @elrufai”

Reacting to the clarification, tweeps expressed various views about the former Governor.

@Zarmaomar said, “You owe no one any explanation; we want them to keep reinterpreting your post from now until 2027 so that they can have something to catch as a relief for them.”

@grant_tile: “Southern Kaduna people will like this message and those whose houses were demolished in the past!!!!”

@Abdul_A_Bello: “Mallam kenan….Jumat Kareem”

@Sola_ogunlola: “Northern politicians are good in using religion to seek sympathy from their poor people. That is the style always.”

@Maxajee: “I see nothing wrong in saying Innalillahi wa inna ilaihirraji’un… even non-Muslims knows that we all come from God and to Him we shall all return”

@kamaldansadau: “I have been a supporter of Mal since he was FCT minister. The only time I was against him was 2023, the way he was promoting BAT and Uba Sani. Gashi an wayi Gari I’m right, muna Nan Tare da Kai dan munsan gyaran Nigeria Sai irin ka.”

@Sistaliano: “No amalgamation can stop Mr. President from completing his 8 years. So stop stressing yourself Mallam. Bashir already said our tactics are Lagos tactics, and that’s what has delivered the presidency to us. And there is no positioning that can produce you in 2031. None.”

@johngozy: “This is still cryptic as it didn’t explain anything. While it’s a good thing to live every day with the realization of your retort, it’s still out of place to use it in quoting every tweet; especially those from diehard emilokanians.”

@CeoCharly: “Power is transient. Rufai, the mini God of Kaduna from 2015 to 2023 is now a Twitter IMAM, someone that played god for 8 years and did all he did in Southern Kaduna. Preach on, Imam Rufai.”

@DanObed37481: “POWER is indeed transient! As ex- “Maximum Ruler” of Kaduna State, you now suddenly speak in whispers. But the good people of Kaduna State only expect you to come clean with the KDSHA’s allegations of financial malfeasance against your regime. Not these SM image laundering attempts.”