Igbos Are Making Nigeria Proud Abroad” – Hadiza El-Rufai Sparks Debate With Bold Claim

Published August 5, 2025 at 12:44 AM

Hadiza, one of the wives of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has stirred controversy online following remarks she made about the Igbo ethnic group.

Taking to her X (formerly Twitter) account, Mrs. El-Rufai wrote:

“A great percentage of these Nigerian Americans making us proud abroad are Igbos. There’s always two sides to every story.
#SayNoToBigotry”

Her statement quickly sparked reactions, with some Nigerians accusing her and her family of attempting to win over Igbo support ahead of the 2027 general elections. Critics pointed to the El-Rufais’ opposition to the current administration and alleged efforts to unseat President Tinubu.

Responding to the backlash, Hadiza posted again, defending her right to freedom of expression. She urged Nigerians to stop politicizing every statement and allow for genuine conversations.