Former Kaduna State Governor and FCT minister, Nasir El-Rufai, is set to return to Nigeria within the next 48 hours to efcc hq amid speculation that he had gone into self-exile.
A close source reports that former governor El-Rufai told Premium Times he will arrive in Abuja soon.
He notified EFCC HQ of his plan to appear at their office by 10 a.m. on Monday, February 16.
El-Rufai confirmed his imminent return to Nigeria in a brief interview with Premium Times.
El-Rufai’s Departure Abroad
The former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, travelled abroad on November 30, 2025.
This followed his attendance at social engagements in Lagos the previous day.
EFCC reportedly delivered a letter to El-Rufai’s residence in December 2025 during his absence, inviting him for questioning.
This triggered a widespread speculation that he could face arrest upon returning to the country.
Anti-graft agencies, including the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), are currently investigating corruption allegations linked to his tenure as governor.
El-Rufai has firmly denied any wrongdoing and has described the investigations as politically motivated persecution of his political enemies.
El-Rufai’s Key Role in Tinubu’s Candidacy
El-Rufai significantly aided President Tinubu’s emergence as APC’s 2023 presidential candidate.
He was one of the APC governors who championed the zoning of the party’s presidential ticket to the South.
And citing an unwritten power-sharing understanding within the party during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Following Tinubu’s inauguration, El-Rufai was nominated as a minister by the president.
El-Rufai’s Ministerial Nomination
However, the Senate rejected El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination, reportedly due to a security report.
He declined Senate reconsideration and suggested a former appointee as replacement.
Since then, relations between El-Rufai and President Tinubu have significantly deteriorated.
The former governor left the APC last year and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He emerged as one of President Tinubu’s most outspoken critics within the new party.
In March 2024, El-Rufai’s successor, Uba Sani, launched a probe into his administration in Kaduna State.
El-Rufai challenged the probe report’s outcome at the Federal High Court.
