Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on Sunday, asked the Office of the National Security Adviser to clarify what he described as information available to opposition figures regarding 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” over reports that the office planned to obtain thallium sulphate from abroad.
He posted a copy of the letter on his official 𝕏 handle on Sunday.
He requested details regarding the alleged transaction, including its purpose and safety measures, describing the issue as one requiring transparency in the interest of public trust.
The Presidency, however, dismissed the allegation, stating that there was no procurement or importation of thallium sulphate by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
In a statement posted on 𝕏, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, accused El-Rufai of attempting to create political tension.
“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.
He further alleged that El-Rufai had already received a 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.’
Ajayi claimed that El-Rufai’s actions were politically motivated.
“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.
The presidential aide maintained that El-Rufai’s challenges were not caused by 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.