Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Friday said in an interview that he has no personal quarrel with President Bola Tinubu but is determined to work towards removing the ruling All Progressives Congress from power.
He spoke during a chat with BBC Hausa shortly after returning to Nigeria.
El-Rufai said the political struggle against the current administration has started and claimed that those in authority are worried about his return to the country.
He suggested that recent actions taken against him were politically driven. According to him, he had openly opposed the present government from the beginning and made his position clear.
His comments came a day after a tense incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where security operatives reportedly attempted to detain him upon arrival from Cairo, Egypt.
His media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, said El-Rufai refused to follow the operatives because there was no formal invitation or warrant presented to him. During the encounter, security agents allegedly took his international passport before later stepping back.
El-Rufai and his legal team described the attempted arrest as unlawful and accused authorities of acting outside proper legal procedures. His lawyer said the move violated his constitutional rights.
Addressing reports of a disagreement with President Tinubu, El-Rufai denied any personal conflict. He explained that they had no deep political history before joining forces within the APC during the 2015 elections.
He said their current differences are based on political direction rather than personal issues. According to him, the goals he once believed the party stood for are no longer the same.
He also spoke about Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, whom he described as his political protégé. El-Rufai dismissed claims of a fallout between them and said any differences are based on approach, not hostility.
The former governor revealed that he is working with an emerging coalition of political figures ahead of the next election cycle. He admitted that some members of the group were once political opponents but said they are now willing to come together for a common cause.
While he ruled out contesting for any office at the moment, he said he would contribute to efforts aimed at removing the current government.
El-Rufai further alleged that attempts were made to frustrate his return to Nigeria. He claimed some individuals prefer that he remain outside the country because they believe he could help organise opposition forces.
He said political struggle is part of democratic practice and added that he feels motivated by the unfolding events.
His remarks point to rising political tension as opposition figures begin to regroup ahead of the next general elections.