Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused his successor, Uba Sani, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu of plotting to destroy him politically.

According to him, the plot is to remove potential threats to Mr Ribadu’s 2031 presidential ambition.

In an appearance on Arise TV, Mr El-Rufai said Mr Sani— his anointed governorship candidate— had become his archenemy.

“Uba Sani is not my friend. He is working with Ribadu against me,” Mr El-Rufai said on Monday evening.

The former Kaduna governor claimed that Mr Ribadu is nursing a presidential ambition for 2031 and would eliminate any northerner he deemed a threat.

“Somebody wants to destroy my reputation. Why? Nuhu Ribadu wants to be president in 2031. He has to eliminate every northerner that he thinks is on the radar.”

There have been speculations that Mr El-Rufai planned to contest the presidency in 2031.

“This project of destroying Nasir El-Rufai is Nuhu Ribadu’s conception. He is the architect and builder of that project. He is working with Uba Sani to implement it. So far, it has been frustrating for them,” Mr El-Rufai alleged.

Mr Ribadu did not immediately return comments on Mr El-Rufai’s accusations and his alleged 2031 presidential ambition.

Mr El-Rufai also accused President Bola Tinubu of alienating him from his cabinet.

“The National Assembly had nothing to do with it. President Tinubu didn’t want me in his cabinet,” said the former FCT minister.