CITIZENS COMPASS— A medical report on former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has revealed that he tested positive for a drug-resistant bacterial infection, with doctors also raising concerns about possible sepsis.
The findings were contained in medical documents dated October 22, 2026, concerning the 66-year-old politician, who is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over his ongoing prosecution.
According to Sahara Reporters, a laboratory report from Cerba Lancet Nigeria showed that blood samples collected from El-Rufai tested positive for Enterococcus faecium after 24 to 48 hours of incubation.
The bacteria was identified as Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE), meaning it does not respond to vancomycin, an antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections.
The laboratory findings showed that the organism was resistant to vancomycin but sensitive to several other antibiotics, including ampicillin, amoxicillin, minocycline and linezolid.
However, the document was marked as an interim report, with the laboratory stating that a final verified result was still expected.
Another medical report issued by ASK+ Medical & Diagnostics on the same date provided further details about El-Rufai’s health condition, symptoms and proposed treatment.
According to the document, the former governor had been experiencing persistent headaches and difficulty sleeping. He was also said to have complained of mild headaches and dizziness, alongside a history of low blood pressure.
The medical assessment listed dehydration, resistant malaria and possible sepsis among the health concerns being considered by the doctors. A suspected infection around the paraumbilical region was also mentioned.
His blood pressure was recorded at 93/70 mmHg, while his pulse was 68 beats per minute. His temperature was 36.2 degrees Celsius, and his oxygen level stood at 98 per cent of room air.
Although the clinical history described him as mildly dehydrated, another section of the physical examination stated that he showed no signs of dehydration.
The ASK+ report also confirmed the isolation of Enterococcus faecium in his blood culture and listed several antibiotics to which the bacteria was sensitive.
However, some differences were noticed in the laboratory’s reporting of gentamicin sensitivity in the aerobic and anaerobic blood culture results, raising the need for further clarification.
The report stated that other medical tests, including full blood count, malaria screening, kidney and liver function tests, fasting lipid profile, blood sugar, urinalysis and HbA1c, were within normal limits.
Despite these findings, the positive blood culture prompted doctors to recommend further evaluation and treatment based on the laboratory results.
The report also recommended that an infectious disease specialist be consulted to determine the most suitable treatment.
Possible intravenous antibiotics listed in the document included Augmentin, Gentalex, L-Flox and linezolid, subject to further medical evaluation and review of the laboratory findings.
The medical revelations come as El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody while facing prosecution.
—Sahara Reporters
