by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A supporter of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has written an open letter calling out former associates, appointees and political beneficiaries of the ex-governor, who have gone silent, while he faces prolonged legal battles and detention.
The letter, written by Zakariyya Ahmad Mai Saje and titled ‘An Open Letter To Those Who Benefited From Nasir El-Rufai’s Support – And Are Now Silent,’ was shared on social media under the hash-tags #JusticeForElRufai, #DueProcess and #Justice.
Mai Saje said the letter was prompted by El-Rufai’s recent remarks on the silence of some people he once stood by.
According to him, El-Rufai’s words were painful not because he attacked anyone, but because he did not – he named no names, threatened nobody, and called for no revenge, but simply noted that adversity has a way of illuminating relationships.
“He simply said that adversity has a way of illuminating relationships. And perhaps that is the part that hurts the most,” Mai Saje wrote.
The author recalled how many people once benefited from El-Rufai’s trust, political influence, support, opportunities and friendship, and proudly associated with him when his name carried power.
“We remember those who could pick up the phone and reach him when many ordinary Nigerians could not even get through the gate. But today, when the same man is facing prolonged legal battles and remains in detention, many of those voices have suddenly become very quiet,” he said.
Mai Saje stressed that the letter was not demanding blind loyalty or asking anyone to agree with every decision El-Rufai ever made, noting that people are free to disagree, move on politically and choose another path. “But surely, human decency should not become a casualty of political convenience,” he said.
He questioned whether beneficiaries must now pretend the relationship never existed, arguing that silence is also a choice.
“Sometimes, silence is understandable. Sometimes, people are afraid. Sometimes, there are legal restrictions. I understand that. But there is also another kind of silence – the silence that comes from calculating which side is safer to stand on. And that is the silence that hurts,” he wrote.
Mai Saje reminded the former beneficiaries that political power, appointments, positions and government are temporary, but character remains.
“One day, the offices will be gone. The cars will be gone. The security details will be gone. The titles will disappear. And what will remain is the simple question: ‘When it mattered, what did I do?’” he said.
He noted that El-Rufai himself has said he bears no resentment, does not regret standing by people when he believed it was right, and seeks neither revenge nor retribution – leaving ultimate accountability to Almighty Allah.
“That, to me, makes the situation even more emotional; because the man is not asking anyone to repay him. We are the ones asking questions,” Mai Saje said.
The author also emphasized due process, noting that El-Rufai has pleaded not guilty to the charges he faces and his legal team continues to challenge aspects of the proceedings.
“A person’s guilt or innocence should ultimately be determined through due process and the courts – not through social-media noise, political excitement or public abandonment,” he said.
He urged former beneficiaries not to erase history simply because the political weather has changed.
“You don’t have to become his political supporter again. You don’t have to defend everything he did. You don’t even have to agree with him. But don’t erase history simply because the political weather has changed. If he helped you, acknowledge it. If he stood by you, remember it,” he said.
Addressing El-Rufai directly, Mai Saje said: “Please, don’t regret doing good simply because some people failed to return it. A good deed does not become worthless because the beneficiary became silent. Allah sees what people forget.”
He prayed for patience, protection from injustice and for truth to prevail through due process, adding that history should remember the period not simply for who became silent, “but for who remained human when silence was the easiest choice.”
The letter ended with a question to readers: “If someone stood by you when you had nothing to offer them, would you stand by them when the tables turned?”
Zakariyya Ahmad Mai Saje is a Kaduna-based Nigerian entrepreneur, public figure, and social media/AI content creator known for his commentary on Northern Nigerian and Kaduna State politics.