2007 Presidency: Duke Alleges El-Rufai Spread Mossad Rumour Against Him
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has alleged that a former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, circulated a rumour portraying him as an operative of Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, ahead of the 2007 presidential election.
Duke made the claim in a 102-page book authored by Seun Oloketuyi, titled “How To Win Election In Nigeria – Politicians Tell Their Stories of Victory”.
Oloketuyi is a Nigerian filmmaker, journalist, media entrepreneur and CEO of Ultimate Communications, founder of Best Of Nollywood Awards.
In addition to filmmaking, he is also an author, with works like Making Movies the Nollywood Way, further cementing his role as a key voice driving growth, creativity, and innovation in Nigeria’s film industry.
The book slated to be released on September 6, 2026, featured insights from 15 politicians, including former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, former Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, former Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti
among others.
In an excerpt from the book, Duke recounting political developments that shaped his ambition for a greater role in the 2007 presidential race, described the Mossad allegation as one of the most unusual rumours he encountered.
“It was Nasir El-Rufai who started the rumours about me being Mossad, and I confronted him about it,” he said.
Duke explained that the allegation was particularly damaging, given that some northern political figures had viewed him favourably due to his upbringing in Zaria and Sokoto.
He also narrated his political interactions with late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, revealing that both men had discussed the possibility of forming a presidential ticket ahead of the election.
According to him, Yar’Adua had indicated willingness to serve as his running mate if Duke secured the presidential ticket, while also expressing preference for Duke as his deputy if he emerged candidate.
He said both men agreed to seek the support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and scheduled a meeting at the Presidential Villa.
However, the planned meeting did not hold.
Duke recalled that upon arrival at the Villa, he was informed that Obasanjo was not receiving visitors, a development he found surprising considering their close relationship.
“I could walk into Obasanjo’s bedroom, and sometimes he could be like, ‘Come upstairs and see me.’ We are that close even till today,” he said.
After waiting without success, Duke said he left the Villa and later encountered Yar’Adua and former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, at Eagle Square, raising concerns that discussions were progressing without him.
He further suggested that political considerations at the time may have influenced his exclusion, alleging that Obasanjo was interested in installing a successor he could influence after leaving office.
“Because Obasanjo wasn’t going to get a third term, he wanted a surrogate government,” Duke said.
He noted that the unfolding political dynamics eventually led to Yar’Adua selecting Goodluck Jonathan as his running mate, effectively ending any possibility of a joint ticket between them.
The former governor said his account highlights the complex mix of alliances, personal relationships, rumours and strategic calculations that characterised the build-up to the 2007 presidential election.
He added that the Mossad allegation was only one of several behind-the-scenes developments that shaped political outcomes during the period.
