Buba Galadima has revealed that he warned former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, about the possibility of Nasir El-Rufai being arrested before the former Kaduna State governor returned to Nigeria from Egypt. Galadima said he had information suggesting that El-Rufai could face detention if he returned.
According to Galadima, he met Kwankwaso during a late-night dinner and urged him to contact El-Rufai and advise him against returning to Nigeria. He said Kwankwaso subsequently reached out to El-Rufai, who initially postponed his planned return before later announcing another date and coming back.
El-Rufai returned to Nigeria in February 2026 and was subsequently detained by the ICPC amid investigations and legal proceedings over allegations including financial offences. Galadima stressed, however, that while he believed El-Rufai was facing consequences for his past actions, he did not say the issues leading to his detention were politically motivated.
