Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has broken his silence on the people who have remained quiet or distanced themselves from him during his current ordeal.
Rather than lash out at those who once stood close to him, El-Rufai said he bears no hatred or resentment toward former colleagues, friends and family members who have chosen not to support him at this time.
The former governor opened up in a statement titled “My Relationships and the Aftermath,” published on Wednesday as he reflected on the changing nature of some of his relationships.
El-Rufai said his support for people over the years was never based on the expectation that they would repay him when circumstances changed.
He explained that his Islamic faith, Arewa upbringing, personal values and conscience shaped many of the decisions he made, including standing by people and causes even when doing so came at a personal cost.
According to him, those decisions were made because he believed they were right, not because he expected praise, gratitude or loyalty in return.
Now that the situation has changed, El-Rufai said everyone he previously supported has the freedom to decide how they want to respond.
Some may speak up, he noted, while others may choose silence or distance themselves from relationships they once acknowledged.
He said he would not judge them simply because their response was different from what he or others might have expected.
However, the former governor admitted that the experience had forced him to look more closely at some of the relationships around him.
El-Rufai said difficult times have a way of revealing the true nature of relationships. He added that what he has experienced in recent months could lead him to quietly reconsider some connections and the expectations placed on people who look up to him.
He stressed that such reflection should not be viewed as condemnation.
Despite the disappointment that may come with changing relationships, El-Rufai said he has no regrets about standing by people when he believed it was the right thing to do.
He also made it clear that the actions of others would not make him abandon the principles that guided his own decisions.
On any perceived injustice, ingratitude or injury against him, the former governor said he would not pursue revenge or retribution.
Instead, he said he would leave ultimate accountability to Almighty Allah.
El-Rufai ended his message by saying his priority was to remain at peace with his conscience and his faith, while allowing everyone to live with the choices they make.
SHARE.
