Youth Liberation Movement condemns the political bullying of Nasir El-Rufai, praising his fearless leadership and commitment to justice
The Youth Liberation Movement, Ibadan, Oyo State, has spoken out against what it describes as the unjust political bullying and marginalisation of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai by certain elements within Nigeria’s political space and media.
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The group views these actions as discriminatory and incompatible with the principles of modern civilisation.
In a press release signed by Comrade T.O. Adefenwa (Secretary) and Hon. Paul Bankole (P.R.O.), the movement hailed El-Rufai as a nationalist of elite calibre from Northern Nigeria, whose contributions to the nation should not be overlooked.
*”Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is a man of conviction who speaks his mind openly and truthfully, a rare trait in Nigeria’s political landscape dominated by deception and sycophancy,”* the statement read.
El-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State was marked by bold reforms in education and revenue generation. Determined to improve the quality of education, he conducted competency tests for teachers and replaced those deemed unqualified with well-trained educators from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
This nationalist approach, though intended to uplift education standards, sparked criticism from those opposing his vision.
The former governor also digitised revenue collection and eliminated bottlenecks to improve the state’s revenue base, attracting further opposition from vested interests.
Despite resistance, his efforts resulted in significant development in Kaduna State, silencing many of his detractors.
On the national stage, El-Rufai’s fearless commitment to justice has been evident. He openly criticised unfair government policies and voluntarily presented himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when allegations were raised against him — a move that resulted in his immediate release due to lack of evidence.
The Youth Liberation Movement also credited El-Rufai’s role in ensuring fairness within the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the presidential primaries.
At a time when there were attempts to favour a northern candidate, El-Rufai supported the candidacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, advocating for power rotation to the south.
Despite his contributions, the group expressed disappointment over the political manoeuvres that prevented El-Rufai’s ministerial appointment, labelling the accusations against him as unfounded and driven by selfish interests.
*”Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has always prioritised competence over ethnicity and created unprecedented opportunities for young Nigerians during his time in office.
His commitment to justice and development deserves recognition, not vilification,”* the statement concluded.
