Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Sunday called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to clarify what he described as information circulating among opposition figures concerning the alleged procurement of a toxic chemical substance.
In a letter dated January 30, 2026, and addressed to the National Security Adviser in Abuja, El-Rufai said he was seeking “clarification and reassurance” regarding reports that the office intended to obtain thallium sulphate from an overseas source.
He shared a copy of the letter on his official 𝕏 handle on Sunday.
In the correspondence, the former governor requested specific details about the alleged transaction, including the purpose of the chemical and the safety protocols surrounding it. He framed the issue as one demanding transparency in order to maintain public confidence.
The Presidency, however, rejected the allegation outright, insisting that the Office of the National Security Adviser had neither procured nor imported thallium sulphate.
In a statement posted on 𝕏, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, accused El-Rufai of stoking unnecessary political anxiety.
“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is playing games and, in his typical fashion, also playing to the gallery. He knew there was no government procurement or importation of Thallium sulphate into Nigeria from Poland through the office of the National Security Adviser,” Ajayi wrote.
Ajayi further claimed that El-Rufai had already been furnished with a formal response from the NSA’s office.
“El-Rufai certainly got a reply to his letter from the NSA’s office, and he should be honourable enough to release it just as he mischievously released his own letter,” he added.
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The presidential aide went on to allege that El-Rufai’s actions were politically driven.
“The truth is: Mallam El-Rufai has two clear intentions behind his recent actions and tantrums. One, to create political tension in the country, create an atmosphere of fear and unrest, and then damage the government through deliberate misinformation.
“Two, to divert attention from his domestic problems in Kaduna State, where he is facing massive corruption allegations. To draw attention to himself and project himself as a victim of persecution, he wants to nationalise his personal problems with his home state government, knowing that Nigerians will not be on his side over corruption charges,” the statement read.
Ajayi maintained that El-Rufai’s current political and legal challenges were unrelated to President Bola Tinubu or the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
“The question should be asked: how did El-Rufai lose almost everyone in the state he governed for eight years? He lost the support of the state’s critical stakeholders. He lost the governor, who had once been his political soulmate… even if half-heartedly.
“El-Rufai lost the entire 28 members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, who unanimously endorsed a petition to both the ICPC and the EFCC to probe him over N432bn corruption allegations, for which both agencies have invited him.
“Instead of behaving like a drowning man holding on to a straw to stay afloat, Mallam El-Rufai should brace up to face his corruption allegations and make peace with himself and his own people,” Ajayi stated.
The exchange adds another layer to the growing political tension surrounding the former governor, as both sides continue to trade accusations over the controversial claim.
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