Why I Left Malam Nasiru El-Rufai’s Political Camp (Part I)
Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is someone many people admire for his style of leadership. From his time as a minister to his years as Governor, he proved himself to be a capable administrator. I believed in him then, and I still believe in those qualities today.
However, I decided to leave his political camp because of certain political mistakes I kept observing and the possible consequences they could have in the future.
I am someone who pays attention to details. One thing I value greatly in any relationship is identity and a sense of belonging. Without that, people eventually begin to feel disconnected.
After the Kaduna State by-election, I realized that we were not prepared to win elections. Not because Malam was not genuine, but because some of the political actors around him were not ready. When I say political actors, I am not referring to those Kaduna online political thugs. The real political actors are mostly invisible on social media.
During the by-election, many young people looked up to some of us who were known to be close to Malam and even some of the candidates. But the reality was different. We were not part of the conversations or decision-making process. We were simply PR boys in the opposition, mixed with a few political banger boys.
After we lost the election, I became frustrated. I expressed my anger here on X and informed a former friend about my decision to quit. I had left many of my business activities to join the movement, yet I felt we had no identity, no role, and no place within the structure. It became exhausting living under the illusion that people saw us as influential members of the El-Rufai political family when, in reality, we were largely on our own.
I had nothing against Malam personally. I am a young man who does not want to become a liability to anyone. Instead of continuing in denial, I felt it was better to return to Zaria and focus on building my business.
Many people persuaded me to stay. Meetings were arranged, and there were efforts to reconcile the situation. Initially, I refused to meet Malam. Eventually, I met him at his Abuja residence alongside two colleagues and a former friend.
Malam asked me what was wrong and why I was angry.
I told him the truth.
I explained that I come from a middle-class family. I am my father’s first and last son. We had spent months promoting and defending him both online and offline, yet there was a serious communication gap. There was no support, not even for basic expenses like data subscriptions. We were using our personal resources while feeling disconnected from the movement. That was why I decided to step away and focus on my business which is within my right.
Malam listened carefully and realized I was genuinely upset. He told me, “Tahir, let us be solution-oriented.”
I agreed.
He said he had assumed we were already being supported and asked us to provide figures for our operational expenses. He also assured us that the communication gap would be addressed.
I further suggested that we should reduce our focus on media activities and invest more in building grassroots structures because that is where votes come from.
At some point, I jokingly told him that I had never flown on an airplane, just to emphasize that I came from a humble background. He laughed and told me I would accompany him to Imo State.
For clarity, the proposed support was never about making anyone rich. It was simply about helping active supporters cover expenses and giving them a sense of belonging.
I later conducted a survey on both X and Facebook, collecting information from supporters and volunteers. Some of those I engaged can testify to this. I requested account details, not because they were poor, but because we wanted to begin building a genuine structure where people felt recognized and valued.
The list was compiled and submitted to the person we were directed to send it to.
i won’t blame them for profiling every Fulani they see, especially in the bush
i am a northerner and i get anxious and prepared for anything when i see hunters or typical fulani people
Nuhu Ribadu should stop sympathizing with them, it is his responsibility and that of Northern and Fulani leaders to call a conference and purge the tribe of the bad eggs and bandits
no sane community will fold their hands and allow bandits or their lookalikes to pose a threat to their families
it’s the same thing you’d do if you were in their shoes, we also profile yahoo boys and people who dress like them over here
"Hellfire will be brought on that Day with seventy thousand bridles (or reins/chains); and with each bridle, there will be seventy thousand angels pulling it.
Who won't be scared of hell?