The former governor, once a staunch ally of Tinubu, has been at odds with the administration since his ministerial nomination was blocked by the Senate.

His increasing criticism of the government has fueled speculation of political retaliation.

Reacting to reports of an impending arrest, Bashir issued a strong warning via X, stating, “Na the biggest mistake Pablo Escobar & his henchmen will make.”

Lmao. Na the biggest mistake Pablo Escobar & his henchmen will make.

— Bashir El-Rufai (@BashirElRufai) February 11, 2025

Although he did not directly mention President Tinubu, social media users widely interpreted the statement as a jab at the president, given the in the United States.

In the 1990s, Tinubu was linked to a U.S. drug-related case, which resulted in the forfeiture of $460,000 to American authorities.

While Tinubu has maintained that he was never convicted of any crime, political opponents frequently resurrect the case to challenge his credibility.

The tensions surrounding El-Rufai’s potential arrest underscore the deepening political rift between the former Kaduna governor and the Tinubu administration.