‘MY EL-RUFAI STORY’ BY UCHE DIALA (SERIALIZED) - PART 1
For Anyone Who Sincerely Wants To Know The Truth About Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
Introduction
A touching tribute recently penned by someone has caused me to begin to tell a story, which I have always promised to tell someday, but have not done so - 'MY EL-RUFAI STORY'. Consider this a prelude to the full story, which will come someday, God sparing my life.
First, let it be made abundantly clear that I am not standing with, beside and behind the Fulani Muslim, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai because there is anything promised or expected. No! I am doing so simply because he is a good man and a man of honour, courage, and truth - four attributes that I never joke with. Let me also restate that I am fully for accountability, and I am glad that once again, Mallam El-Rufai has willfully submitted himself for accountability. I just do not like malicious and selective accountability and abuse of due process. I will always speak up against that.
Setting The Records Straight
I had never met nor personally interacted with Mallam Nasir El-Rufai until last year's Ramadan (2025), although I have been closely following his trajectory over the years. Which serious minded Nigerian hasn't?
How It All Began
When our erstwhile party betrayed, maligned, and insulted El-Rufai for simply saying that things should be done right by the party, I could not stand the injustice and ungodly conduct. I could neither side with that nor keep quiet like many of my APC compatriots then did. It just was not in my character to do so. So, I spoke out, as I would for any other person, indeed, as I had for many others in the past, including for the current President who now thinks himself a god. The shameful pushback I got for speaking up instead of remorse, rethink, and re-evaluation sealed my decision to dissociate myself from the motly crowd of retrogressive elements, ingrates, hypocrites, sycophants and betrayers.
Eventually, to cut the story short, thus, solely by divine providence, I was privileged to get close to the diminutive, yet all-round imposing personality that is Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. I have not stopped thanking God for that singular honour and privilege.
Let Me Be Clear
I am not one to be easily impressed, hoodwinked, or bamboozled, but after a two and half hour-long conversation alone with him on a certain night at the Iftar (breaking fast) table, I knew instantly that I had just met a colossus of a man - a giant whose physical height and stature belie his true stature - intellectually and as a human being - simple and unassuming, yet tough and sharp as a concrete nail. The full details of that life changing encounter will be documented someday.
However, I knew instantly that I had just met and interacted with the real deal - a man with a brain and a soul in the right places. A frank to a fault, God fearing and humble, yet no nonsense man. An unapologetically patriotic Nigerian - who only means well for the nation, in addition to being exceptionally intelligent and highly intellectual - one of my turn ons. I left him and drove home that night feeling and thinking to myself, 'this is the man', while praying to God to perfect whatever is His (God's) will for Nigeria using him, if it is His (God's) will.
But That Was Just The Beginning …
© Uche Diala
22nd March 2026