2007 Presidency: Donald Duke Alleges El-Rufai Fuelled Mossad Rumour Against Him
Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has alleged that former Kaduna State Governor, 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 allegation in a 102-page book authored by Nigerian filmmaker, journalist and media entrepreneur, Seun Oloketuyi, titled How to Win Election in Nigeria – Politicians Tell Their Stories of Victory.
The book, scheduled for release on September 6, 2026, features accounts and insights from 15 politicians, including former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Recounting the political developments surrounding his presidential ambition in 2007, Duke described the Mossad allegation as one of the most unusual rumours he encountered during the period.
“It was Nasir El-Rufai who started the rumours about me being Mossad, and I confronted him about it,” Duke said.
According to the former governor, the allegation was particularly damaging because some prominent northern political figures had viewed him favourably, partly because of his upbringing in Zaria and Sokoto.
Duke also recounted his political relationship with the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, revealing that the two had discussed the possibility of forming a presidential ticket ahead of the 2007 election.
He said Yar’Adua had indicated that he was willing to serve as Duke’s running mate if Duke secured the presidential ticket, while also expressing a preference for Duke as his deputy should Yar’Adua emerge as the presidential candidate.
Duke said they subsequently agreed to seek the support of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo and scheduled a meeting at the Presidential Villa.
However, the meeting did not take place.
According to Duke, when he arrived at the Villa, he was informed that Obasanjo was not receiving visitors—a development he found surprising given 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 recalled.
After waiting unsuccessfully, Duke said he left the Villa and later encountered Yar’Adua and former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili at Eagle Square. The encounter, he suggested, raised concerns that political discussions were taking place without his involvement.
Duke further alleged that political calculations may have influenced his exclusion, arguing that Obasanjo, who was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, wanted to install a successor who would remain politically amenable to him.
“Because Obasanjo wasn’t going to get a third term, he wanted a surrogate government,” Duke alleged.
The political realignment that followed eventually saw Yar’Adua choose Goodluck Jonathan as his running mate, effectively ending the possibility of the proposed Duke-Yar’Adua ticket.
Duke’s account provides an insight into the intense political manoeuvring, alliances, rumours and strategic calculations that shaped the build-up to Nigeria’s 2007 presidential election.
The former governor maintained that the alleged Mossad rumour was only one of several behind-the-scenes developments that influenced the political contest and ultimately shaped the country’s transition of power in 2007.