How El-Rufai Pressured Buhari To Arrest, Detain Obasanjo, TY Danjuma.

The Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai pressured President Muhammadu Buhari to arrest former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former minister of defense, Theophilus Danjuma over their constant criticism of the Buhari’s administration, prior to the 2019 General elections, Pointblanknews.com has learnt.

However the arrest plan was resisted by Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, who pointed out the consequences of such a move on the two elder statesmen. Former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawan Daura, also opposed the arrest move, a Villa source confided in Pointblanknews.com

While the arrest and detention plan failed, it was learnt that el-Rufai in connivance with the National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd) and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu, almost prevented Obasanjo from making a foreign trip by security operatives at the airport.

The source added that the resistance to the arrest by Kyari entrenched his power tussle with el-Rufai over influence on Buhari.

In the buildup to the 2019 presidential election, Obasanjo and Danjuma were fierce critics of Buhari’s administration. While Obasanjo in a lengthy statement urged Buhari not to recontest on grounds of incompetence, Danjuma had accused the military under, Buhari’s watch, of colluding with killler herdsmen on ethnic agenda.

El-Rufai emerged on Nigeria’s national scene during Obasanjo’s administration when he served as former Director General of Bureau of Public Enterprises, the head of privatisation agency, and later as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja from 2003 to 2007.

He was very influential under during Obasanjo’s administration and was considered a integral member of the former president’s inner cycle.

However, Pointblanknews.com can report that in the heat of the criticisms against Buhari by Obasanjo and Danjuma, the Kaduna State Governor leaned on his ally, the NSA, Monguno to insist on the arrest and detention of two leaders.

Monguno in turn leaned on his protege, the EFCC Chairman, Magu, who wrote a letter to both elder statesmen, querying them on some of their past dealings.

It was further learnt that “Obasanjo was queried on the strength of that letter and was almost prevented from traveling abroad by security operatives at the airport. Part of the plan was to confine Obsanjo in his house before arresting him,” a source told Pointblanknews.com.

The source added, “While Buhari was seriously considering to heed to el-Rufai’s advice, the chief of staff, Abba Kyari, weighing on the consequence such moves portends, advised the President against arresting OBJ and TY.

“Former DSS DG Lawan Daura, also opposes the move. Kyari who has friends cut across political divide opined that such would send a dangerous signal locally and internationally and spell doom for the Buhari’s Govt. El-Rufai’s suggestions was thereafter discarded,” the source said.

It was learnt that the Kaduna Governor, after that rebuff, started mounting pressure for the removal of Kyari as Buhari’s Chief of Staff before and after the general elections.

The source said, “el-rufai wanted the position of Chief of Staff because of his 2023 Presidential ambition. He snitches to Buhari on anyone he dislikes to create the impression that he is loyal to the President. The Chief of Staff and other close associates of Buhari have all seen through him and are battle ready to deal with him.

“Kyari has been the one creating balance for the Buhari’s government. E-lrufai is said to have been a toxic to the government. His antics if accepted, would have caused Buhari’s government a lot of headache,” the source added.