Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf has recounted how he publicly defended former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following his arrest at an airport, insisting that the former governor had no intention of fleeing the country.
Yusuf made the disclosure during an interview on Trust TV while discussing political events and his relationship with El-Rufai. The former NHIS boss reflected on the circumstances surrounding the incident and his reaction at the time.
According to him, when news broke about El-Rufai’s arrest, he granted a media interview in the Hausa language to address speculation that the former governor might attempt to escape from authorities. Yusuf said he dismissed such claims and argued that El-Rufai had willingly returned despite knowing he could face arrest.
“The first day he got arrested at the airport, I did an interview in Hausa that ‘you think he will run away?, the person you are looking for has come back,’” Yusuf said.
He explained that his remarks were meant to counter narratives suggesting that El-Rufai would evade authorities. Yusuf maintained that the former governor’s return showed he was ready to face any issues surrounding the situation.
El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, remains one of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures and a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Over the years, he has been involved in several national political debates and policy discussions.