He was speaking on the incident for the first time while addressing a workers' rally in Kaduna.
El-Rufai, had shortly after superintending over the Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC), governorship primary election, "disappeared" for about 10 days.
But his deputy, Barnabas Bala Bantex, told a gathering last Sunday in Southern Kaduna, where he had gone to represent the gov- ernor, that El-Rufai travelled abroad to woo foreign investors.
Bantex made the disclo- sure at a time speculation was rife that El-Rufai had some health challenges.
"You know how passionate the man is about President Muhammadu Buhari. But Buhari was in Kaduna last Friday, and Mallam was nowhere near the airport. I understand he collapsed shortly after the Kogi congress."
Another APC chieftain said: "We have always told him that Abuja is not Kaduna. Abuja is no man's land, but in Kaduna, we have lo- cals who can invoke whatever they believe in, and in no distant time, you start seeing the repercussion. We hope he would have learnt a lesson or two, from this his latest experience. We wish him well, but he just has to apply the brakes. He is stressing himself too much."
Meanwhile, the governor's Special Adviser on Investment Promotion, Mr. Jimi Lawal, for the first time, opened up on the series of allegations against him, which many say do not make him fit, to hold a public office.
Last week, a group, the Centrum Initiative For De- velopment and Fundamental Rights Initiative (CE- DRA), peopled by persons mainly from the southern part of the state, and which campaigned vigorously to enthrone El-Rufai, had given the governor, two days' ultimatum, to fire La- wal, or face mass protest. The ultimatum has since expired.
The group is being led by a Kaduna State University lecturer, Dr. John Danfulani.
Although, the state government is yet to officially react to the demands of the
group, Lawal, who is in the eye of the storm, has chosen to carry his cross by himself.
Lawal chose the social media to make his case.
"As to being wanted in America or anywhere in the world, it is nothing but yet another false allegation. Finally, let me end with yet another prayer: if I have lied in any of the points herein contained, may the Almighty God punish me. If not, may the Almighty Allah continue to bestow His blessings upon me, my family and loyal friends; especially Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai."
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