N423 billion corruption: Presidency Accuses of Attention Diversion
The Nigerian Presidency has officially dismissed claims of a poisoning plot against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that the allegations are a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the El-Rufai corruption investigation. In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the government described the so-called Thallium threat as unsubstantiated and politically motivated, framing it as a distraction from the ongoing probe into the alleged mismanagement of N423 billion in state funds.
El-Rufai’s petition had claimed that intelligence suggested a plot to poison him using Thallium, a tasteless and odorless heavy metal historically linked to covert poisonings. The petition implied that the threat was connected to his political history and current standing within the ruling party. The former governor’s legal team reportedly approached the National Security Adviser with these claims, suggesting that his life was in imminent danger.
The Presidency quickly countered these assertions, highlighting several key points:
- Lack of Evidence: Officials noted that no forensic data or credible intelligence was provided to support the poisoning claim.
- Timing: The petition coincided with intensified efforts by Kaduna State authorities to recover funds allegedly misappropriated during El-Rufai’s eight-year administration.
- Security Assessment: The National Security Adviser reportedly found the claims dramatic but lacking verifiable facts, prompting the Presidency’s public rebuttal.
At the heart of this controversy is the ongoing legislative investigation by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which earlier indicted the El-Rufai administration over alleged financial mismanagement, including inflated contracts, questionable loans, and other irregularities totaling N423 billion.
The Presidency emphasized that anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are independently pursuing accountability. Bayo Onanuga urged El-Rufai to focus on clearing his name through legal channels rather than framing a narrative of personal threat.
The dispute also underscores growing political tension within the All Progressives Congress, where El-Rufai, once a key ally of the President, has recently faced reduced influence. Analysts suggest that the Thallium allegation may be a strategy to seek public sympathy or political protection should the corruption probe result in formal charges. By labeling the petition as a diversion, the Presidency is signaling that no security claim will override accountability for alleged financial mismanagement.
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As the Kaduna State authorities continue their investigation, the focus remains squarely on the El-Rufai corruption investigation. The outcome will not only determine the former governor’s legal standing but also highlight the administration’s commitment to financial transparency and political integrity.
Reported by Songbux.
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- N423 billion corruption: Presidency Accuses EL-Rufai of Attention Diversion