The Presidency on Sunday rejected recent claims by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai regarding the alleged procurement of Thallium Sulphate, describing his correspondence to the National Security Adviser as a calculated move to inflame political tension.
El-Rufai had written to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, seeking clarification over what he described as the alleged importation of the toxic substance through the Office of the NSA.
In its response, the Presidency said the former governor’s actions were aimed at diverting attention from corruption allegations currently under review in Kaduna State. It pointed to the reported unanimous endorsement by the Kaduna State House of Assembly of a petition urging the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate alleged financial improprieties amounting to N432 billion during El-Rufai’s tenure.
According to the Presidency, the anti-graft agencies have since invited the former governor for questioning.
Reacting via his verified X handle, @TheTope_Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, dismissed the allegation as misinformation capable of causing unnecessary fear and unrest.
Ajayi maintained that there was no procurement or importation of Thallium Sulphate into Nigeria through the Office of the National Security Adviser. He further alleged that El-Rufai had already received an official response from the NSA’s office but chose not to make it public.
The Presidency insisted that attempts to frame the matter as political persecution would not distract from ongoing investigations, adding that public discourse should be guided by facts rather than speculation.
