‘Horrible English’: El-Rufai disowns letter questioning Ashiru’s ADC ticket

The family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has disowned a viral letter questioning Isah Ashiru’s nomination as the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kaduna State.

The letter, titled Urgent Message and dated July 14, 2026, was purportedly signed by El-Rufai and addressed to the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the family described the document as a “shabby fake” written in “horrible English” and “horrendous handwriting.”

“The spurious letter, purportedly dated July 14, 2026, and addressed to the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, should be disregarded as the shabby fake that it is,” the statement said.

“Neither the poor content nor the handwriting has anything to do with Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.”

The disputed letter reportedly questioned Ashiru’s eligibility for the ADC governorship ticket, alleging that he failed to complete the party’s online membership registration before the April 30, 2026 deadline.

It claimed that Ashiru’s nomination had created tension within the party and urged the ADC’s national and Kaduna State leadership to intervene and review the matter.

El-Rufai’s family accused those behind the document of attempting to create confusion and division within the party.

“The fake letter shows another resort to desperation by Mallam’s traducers who seek to sow confusion and division,” the family said.

“Their attempt at politics by fakery should be dismissed and condemned. It is an instance of the most primitive politics, and its sponsors should be ashamed of themselves.”

The statement was signed on behalf of the family by El-Rufai’s son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.