El‑Rufai: A Relentless Autocrat and Suppressor of Dissent — Deji Adeyanju’s Verdict

Human rights advocate and legal practitioner, Deji Adeyanju, has publicly characterized former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai as a tyrannical leader with a persistent inclination toward authoritarian behavior.

According to Adeyanju, El‑Rufai’s track record in office reflects an intolerance for opposition and a tendency to suppress those who challenge him. The activist contends that if El‑Rufai were to regain political power, his conduct toward dissenters would be significantly harsher than during his previous tenure.

In a message shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Adeyanju asserted that El‑Rufai’s current experience of being on the receiving end of state power is a consequence of how he treated critics when he held public office.

Adeyanju stated that El‑Rufai embodies an unyielding form of despotism. He further claimed that anyone pushing for the ex‑governor’s return to political influence does so out of desperation or self‑seeking motives rather than principled leadership.

To illustrate his point, Adeyanju referenced an incident during the COVID‑19 pandemic involving Islamic cleric Sheikh Bello Yabo, who openly criticized El‑Rufai’s policies. According to Adeyanju, instead of addressing the critique, El‑Rufai allegedly deployed police officers from Kaduna State to apprehend and detain Yabo in Sokoto on the eve of the Sallah festival.

Adeyanju argued that even those now exerting pressure against El‑Rufai demonstrate greater restraint than he showed toward his opponents. He concluded by suggesting that El‑Rufai is facing the repercussions — or “karma” — of his previous actions.

This critique prompts wider discussions about political leadership and accountability in Nigeria, and how leaders respond to dissent within democratic systems. It also aligns with global concerns about the treatment of human rights defenders and the limits of governmental authority when confronting opposing views. For a broader understanding of how authoritarian tendencies emerge and impact societies, reputable analyses like this one from LMSINT MEDIA offer useful context.