Emmanuel OchayiA former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu was the one who decided against appointing him as a minister, not the National Assembly.
Speaking on Monday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, El-Rufai said President Tinubu had initially asked him to serve in his government but later changed his mind. “The National Assembly had nothing to do with this,” El-Rufai said. “The President didn’t want me in his cabinet. He changed his mind. Whatever the reason is, I don’t care, and I have moved on.”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelTinubu’s Initial Request for El-Rufai to Serve
El-Rufai explained that President Tinubu personally requested him to join the government after he completed his tenure as Governor of Kaduna State.
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He recalled that during the 2023 election campaign, he told Tinubu that he would support him but did not want any position in return.
“Since I left office, the President publicly begged me to come and serve in his government,” El-Rufai said. “I had my plans and told President Tinubu from day one when he asked me to support him, I said I would, but I didn’t want anything.”
He emphasized that his involvement in politics was not for personal gain. “I am not in politics to get anything,” he said. “I have a surname and I am a self-made man. I made money before coming into public office. I don’t need anything.”
Why El-Rufai Agreed to Serve Initially
Despite his reluctance, he said Tinubu appealed to him to reconsider his position. After two months of negotiations, they agreed that he would be nominated as a minister. However, he said there were certain conditions he attached to his acceptance.
“The President publicly appealed to me to put my plans on hold,” he said. “Through two months of negotiations, we finally agreed that he would nominate me as minister.”
President Tinubu’s Change of Mind
According to El-Rufai, the President later decided against his nomination. He dismissed claims that the National Assembly played a role in the rejection. “Please don’t believe the story that the National Assembly rejected me,” he said. “The National Assembly had nothing to do with this. The President didn’t want me in his cabinet.”
He did not give further details on why the President made that decision but stated that he had accepted it and moved on.
El-Rufai Has Moved On from Ministerial Appointment
El-Rufai said since he was not appointed, he had chosen to focus on other things. He also made it clear that he had not spoken publicly about the matter until now. “Since I moved on, I have not said a word,” he said. “I have not granted an interview, I have not commented on the government.”
Despite stepping away from active government participation, El-Rufai noted that he still had the right to question issues within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“It is within my right as a founding member of the APC to ask why the party isn’t functioning,” he said.
Reactions to El-Rufai’s Statement
The revelation by El-Rufai has sparked discussions within political circles. While some supporters believe he was sidelined due to political differences, others think the President had strategic reasons for his decision.
Neither President Tinubu nor any government official has publicly responded to his claims. However, his statement has fueled further debate on internal party affairs and governance under Tinubu’s administration.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
