Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El- Rufai, got his international passport renewed today in London at the Nigeria High Commission. El-Rufai arrived at the High Commission at 10 AM accompanied by members of the Nigerian Liberty Forum (NLF), led by Kayode Ogundamisi.
An obviously excited El- Rufai walked in and reportedly received courteous service from the staff of the High Commission, a far cry from his last visit when he was denied consular services stemming from a controversial memo generated by the Director-General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Following the worldwide outcry that followed publication of the memo and the accompanying cables, PDP President, Umaru Yar’Adua, denied knowledge of the order to suspend consular services to El-Rufai and Nuhu Ribadu, and fired the DG of NIA. He later ordered that consular services be restored to the duo, and also caused the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue another cable to all Nigerian missions abroad stating that the standard passport is the inalienable right of every Nigerian.
El Rufai promised to return to Nigeria in December.