I’ve Learnt My Lessons – El-Rufai
…Says “I bear no hatred towards those who abandoned me”
… Says posterity’ll judge
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has said he bears no hatred or resentment towards colleagues, friends and family members who have remained silent or distanced themselves from him amid his current travails.
El-Rufai made this revelation in a statement titled “My Relationships and the Aftermath,” released on his X handle on Wednesday.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory said he had over the years supported people and causes based on his Islamic faith, Arewa upbringing, personal values and conscience, and not in expectation of praise or reciprocity.
“Over the years, I have stood by people and for causes I believed in, sometimes in difficult circumstances and at considerable personal cost. I did so not in expectation of praise, gratitude or reciprocity, but because I believed it was right,” he said.
He said those he supported are free to decide how to respond to his present circumstances, noting that some may speak, some may remain silent, while others may deny the relationship or rewrite history.
“Those I have supported are free to make their own choices now that circumstances are reversed. Some may speak; others may remain silent. Others may even deny our relationship or try rewriting history,” he said.
“Their reasons are their own, and I do not wish to judge them merely because their response differs from what others — or even I — might have expected.”
El-Rufai said adversity has illuminated his relationships and caused him to reflect, which may lead him to reconsider the nature of certain relationships.
“Adversity has a way of illuminating relationships,” he said, adding that the experience might lead him to “reconsider the nature of certain relationships and what those that look up to me expect of them.”
He stressed that such reflection should not be interpreted as condemnation.
“That is neither reproach nor condemnation; it is simply part of seeing people, and life, more clearly,” he said.
The former governor said he has no regrets about standing by people or causes when he believed it was right, and will not allow the actions of others to change his principles.
“I have no regrets about standing by people or for causes when I believed it was right to do so, and I bear no resentment towards anyone who chooses not to do the same for me,” he said.
On any perceived injustice or ingratitude against him, El-Rufai said he seeks neither revenge nor retribution.
“As for any injustice, ingratitude or injury done to me, I seek neither revenge nor retribution. Ultimate accountability belongs to Almighty Allah, and I leave that judgment to Him, in this world and in the Hereafter,” he said.
“In the end, each of us must live with the choices we make, and posterity will render whatever verdict it sees fit. My only concern is to remain at peace with my conscience and, above all, with Almighty Allah.”
