A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has recalled warning former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai that he could be jailed over his conduct.

Galadima said he also approached NDC presidential running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso and pleaded with him to discourage El-Rufai from returning to Nigeria from Egypt after the former governor was allegedly indicted.

Speaking on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, Galadima said El-Rufai was now experiencing consequences similar to those he allegedly inflicted on others.

He said: “Tinubu and his people are ingrates as far as El-Rufai is concerned. I’m not the best friend of El-Rufai.

“In fact, I advised him that he should be careful of the way he carries himself, that he either goes on exile or they will jail him.

“I went and met Kwankwaso and told Kwankwaso that he should beg El-Rufai not to come back. These people do not mean well to him.”

Galadima also accused President Bola Tinubu and his associates of being ungrateful to El-Rufai.

El-Rufai was arrested and detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on February 18, 2026, after returning to Nigeria from Egypt.

He subsequently faced additional charges and re-arrests involving the ICPC and Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations relating to corruption, contract fraud, cybercrime and alleged phone-tapping involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

On May 18, the Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, granted El-Rufai N100 million bail in the case filed by the DSS.

The former governor, however, remains in custody after reportedly failing to meet the bail conditions imposed by the court.