Journalist Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, popularly known as BKO, has said former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has received less public support from political allies than he expected during his detention.
In remarks attributed to him on TVC News’ Issues with Jide, Kolade-Otitoju expressed surprise at the response of influential figures who previously maintained close relationships with the former governor.
“I think his lamentation is justified. If anyone had predicted to me that El-Rufai would be abandoned in this way, I would have argued,” he said.
Kolade-Otitoju also speculated that El-Rufai might have expected his detention to provoke demonstrations across Northern Nigeria.
“I’m sure El-Rufai must have thought that his detention would probably have triggered riots in Northern Nigeria. But he’s been left to his fate,” he said.
The suggestion about El-Rufai’s expectations represents Kolade-Otitoju’s interpretation, rather than an established account of the former governor’s intentions.
BKO Questions Bail Conditions
Kolade-Otitoju criticised the bail conditions imposed on El-Rufai, alleging that they were deliberately made difficult to fulfil.
He suggested that unless the relevant courts varied those conditions, the former governor could remain in custody beyond the 2027 general election. That prediction is his assessment, not a court decision or an announced detention timetable.
He also alleged that political considerations could be influencing El-Rufai’s situation. The supplied account contains no evidence establishing that allegation.
The former governor faces separate legal proceedings, making it necessary to distinguish the bail orders and allegations in each case.
In a May 18 report on the DSS prosecution in Abuja, TVC News said the Federal High Court granted El-Rufai bail of ₦100 million with one surety in like sum. Conditions included a senior federal civil servant as surety and property documentation relating to Maitama or Asokoro.
TVC subsequently reported that the defence sought a variation of the bail conditions, describing them as difficult to meet. According to that report, the prosecution opposed the application and the court declined the request.
Political Relationships Come Under Scrutiny
Kolade-Otitoju said the limited public intervention by some Northern leaders illustrated the uncertainty of political support when a former officeholder enters a confrontation with state institutions.
He also claimed that some contractors and politicians who benefited from El-Rufai’s administration had remained silent, while former associates had aligned with the current Kaduna State administration.
These were his assessments of the former governor’s political relationships. Silence alone does not establish the position or private actions of any individual.
Discussing speculation about the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, Kolade-Otitoju argued that a traditional ruler’s ability to intervene publicly differs from the authority and constitutional protections available to a serving governor.
He suggested that Sanusi’s position could limit his willingness to take a public stand over El-Rufai’s detention. The supplied account does not include a response from the emir.
El-Rufai Has Pleaded Not Guilty
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has separately announced proceedings against El-Rufai.
In a June 25 statement, the commission said El-Rufai and former aide Jimi Lawal were arraigned on an amended 11-count charge relating to an alleged ₦8.68 billion CCTV contract and associated transactions.
According to the commission, both men pleaded not guilty. The allegations remain matters for determination by the court.
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