Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that he never lobbied for a ministerial appointment in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, emphasizing that he only participated in the ministerial screening because the president personally requested his involvement. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, El-Rufai revealed that Tinubu approached him in Kaduna, seeking his expertise in ensuring a stable power supply for Nigeria. “Some people assume I left because I wasn’t appointed as a minister, but that is untrue. I never sought the position. The president himself came to Kaduna and asked for my support to help achieve his vision for a reliable electricity supply. At the time, I believed he was serious,” he stated.
El-Rufai also dismissed speculations that his decision to distance himself from the administration was driven by personal ambition or dissatisfaction with the government. “I do not regret supporting him, but I am disappointed. My support for Tinubu was based on two key factors. First, Yoruba leaders from the South-West came to me in Kaduna, explaining the political difficulties Muslim politicians faced in their region. That was why I backed Tinubu. “Secondly, there was an agreement that, in 2023, the presidency should shift to the South for fairness and justice. That is why I remained committed to ensuring power transitioned smoothly,” he explained.
El-Rufai further revealed that he informed former President Muhammadu Buhari of his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) before making it public. “I do not make major political decisions without informing Buhari. Even when I was governor of Kaduna and wanted to appoint commissioners, I sent him the list to ensure there was no one who had insulted him in the past. He reviewed it and approved. “On Friday, I met with him and told him I was leaving the APC. He understood my reasons and gave me his blessings,” El-Rufai disclosed.
El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, recently resigned from the party, citing disillusionment with its leadership. In a statement on Monday, he accused the APC of abandoning its core values and ignoring his repeated warnings about its declining trajectory over the past two years. When asked about political godfathers, El-Rufai acknowledged Buhari’s influence but refused to mention others. “I have political associates whom I consult before making decisions. If they advise me against something, I listen. My first political mentor is Muhammadu Buhari, but I won’t mention the others because people would start pressuring them,” he said.
He also criticized the APC for prioritizing personal interests over public service, alleging that appointments are being concentrated among a select group of individuals. “The APC no longer serves the people; it has become a platform for personal enrichment. The government has turned into a business where everything has a price. There is no justice. Those who worked hard for the party are not even recognized. “For every appointment, they only select people from Lagos. The party is finished. That is why I consulted Tunde Bakare, Buhari, Abdullahi Adamu, Adams Oshiomhole, and Bisi Akande before making my decision,” El-Rufai concluded.
