Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has addressed the silence of some of his former colleagues, friends and associates amid his current circumstances, saying he bears no hatred or resentment towards those who have chosen not to stand by him.

The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory stated this in a statement titled “My Relationships and the Aftermath”, published on his X handle on Wednesday.

El-Rufai said he had supported people and causes over the years based on his Islamic faith, Arewa upbringing, personal values and conscience, rather than in expectation of praise, gratitude or reciprocity.

“Over the years, I have stood by people and for causes I believed in, sometimes in difficult circumstances and at considerable personal cost. I did so not in expectation of praise, gratitude or reciprocity, but because I believed it was right,” he said.

He said those he had supported were free to decide how they would respond to his present circumstances, noting that some might speak out, remain silent or even distance themselves from previous relationships.

“Those I have supported are free to make their own choices now that circumstances are reversed. Some may speak; others may remain silent. Others may even deny our relationship or try rewriting history,” he said.

He added that he did not wish to judge people simply because their responses differed from what he or others might have expected.

“Their reasons are their own, and I do not wish to judge them merely because their response differs from what others or even I might have expected.”

The former governor said his experiences in recent months had also prompted him to reflect on some of his relationships.

“Adversity has a way of illuminating relationships,” El-Rufai said, adding that the experience might lead him to “reconsider the nature of certain relationships and what those that look up to me expect of them.”

He stressed, however, that such reflection should not be interpreted as condemnation.

“That is neither reproach nor condemnation; it is simply part of seeing people, and life, more clearly,” he said.

El-Rufai said he had no regrets about supporting people or causes whenever he believed it was the right thing to do, adding that the actions of others would not change the principles that had guided him.

“I have no regrets about standing by people or for causes when I believed it was right to do so, and I bear no resentment towards anyone who chooses not to do the same for me,” he said.

Addressing any perceived injustice, ingratitude or injury against him, El-Rufai said he would not seek revenge or retribution.

“As for any injustice, ingratitude or injury done to me, I seek neither revenge nor retribution. Ultimate accountability belongs to Almighty Allah, and I leave that judgment to Him, in this world and in the Hereafter,” he said.

El-Rufai concluded by saying that his priority was to remain at peace with his conscience and with Almighty Allah.

“In the end, each of us must live with the choices we make, and posterity will render whatever verdict it sees fit. My only concern is to remain at peace with my conscience and, above all, with Almighty Allah,” he said.