The travails of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, By Azu Ishiekwene

Nigeria, May 20 -- The list was long and the contents harsh and threatening. The notices may have been issued separately, but they landed like a packaged digital bomb in my WhatsApp inbox.

Eight unions, apart from the central body, had collectively declared war on Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai. The die was cast.

The unions were the Nigeria Union of Railway Workers; the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees; the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees; the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions; the National Union of Electricity Employees; the National Union of Teachers; the National Union of Food, Bev...