Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, took to social media on Saturday to share his thoughts on what he termed “envy” among Nigeria’s political class.
His comments come amid allegations of corruption and misappropriation of government funds during his eight-year tenure as governor.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has accused El-Rufai‘s administration of siphoning ₦432 billion, leaving the state with significant debt liabilities. An ad hoc committee established by the Assembly to investigate the finances, loans, and contracts awarded under El-Rufai’s administration submitted its report in June, revealing that most loans were not used for their intended purpose, and due process was often ignored.
The committee recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai and some members of his cabinet for alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and money laundering.
However, El-Rufai, in a lengthy post on X, dismissed the allegations, describing envy as an “incurable disease” prevalent among the political class. He expressed doubt that it could be cured, citing the need to confront and degrade the “virus of envy” for Nigeria to achieve greatness.
The post reads, “WEEKEND REFLECTION: “NONE of us has to fail for ALL of us to succeed. And in unity there is strength.” – @VP Kamala Harris, US Vice President (2021-2024) and Democratic Presidential Candidate at the Democratic National Convention.
“The quote above led me to reflect on the meaning and implications for our situation in Nigeria. Feelings of envy require that EVERYONE fails for ONE to succeed.
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“Envy is quite prevalent amongst the key actors in our political system. Competence, capacity, and commitment are some personal leadership qualities that attract the envy of those lacking or deficient in these indices.
“Instead of striving to attain, the envious seeks to hate and destroy those that are better. Envy leads to hatred.
“Hatred leads to destructive thoughts and actions, including unspeakable crimes like perjury, malicious prosecution, persecution, unlawful imprisonment, torture and even murder for the target(s) of the envy.
“Can the incurable disease of envy amongst Nigerians, particularly within the members of the political class be cured? Personally, I doubt it.
“The emerging problem of Nigeria is the outcome of the continuously deteriorating competence, capacity and commitment of the political leadership.
“Societies succeed or fail depending on these personal and institutional qualities.
“No matter what, the incurable virus of ENVY has to be confronted and degraded, if not cured, if Nigeria is to achieve its manifest destiny of greatness and leadership of the Black Race. I pray this can be realized. Amen.”
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