Tinubu Didn’t Want Me in His Cabinet, Not the National Assembly – El-Rufai

In a recent interview with Arise TV, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai addressed the controversy surrounding his exclusion from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. Contrary to widespread reports that the National Assembly rejected his nomination over security concerns, El-Rufai stated that it was Tinubu himself who ultimately decided not to include him in his government.

El-Rufai’s remarks mark his first public statement on the issue since he left office in 2023. He revealed that, despite Tinubu’s initial appeals for him to serve in his administration, the president later changed his mind. The former governor emphasized that he has moved on from the incident and harbors no resentment towards the Tinubu-led administration.

‘National Assembly Had Nothing to Do With It’ – El-Rufai

El-Rufai dismissed claims that his ministerial nomination was rejected due to security concerns raised by the National Assembly. He argued that such claims were baseless, pointing out that he had previously served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and as a two-term governor of Kaduna State, one of Nigeria’s most challenging states in terms of security.

“What was the security issue?” El-Rufai questioned. “I was a minister 20 years ago, and I governed one of the most difficult states for eight years. If there was truly a security issue, where is the report? The National Assembly had nothing to do with my exclusion. The president simply changed his mind.”

He further noted that while other ministerial nominees with more controversial backgrounds were cleared, he was left out despite his qualifications. El-Rufai suggested that Tinubu used the Senate’s rejection as an excuse to justify his decision to exclude him.

El-Rufai’s Role in Tinubu’s Election Campaign

El-Rufai played a crucial role in Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign, offering strategic support that helped secure victory in the 2023 election. However, he disclosed that he had made it clear from the beginning that he was not seeking any political appointment in return for his support.

“I told President Tinubu from day one that I would support him, but I did not want anything in return,” El-Rufai said. “Politics in Nigeria is always about what one gets in return for their support, but I was never interested in any position. The only reason I even considered joining the government was when the president personally asked me to help revamp the electricity sector.”

He reiterated that despite Tinubu’s initial public appeal for him to serve, the president later changed his mind. “Something must have happened, or the president simply had a change of heart. Whatever it is, I have moved on,” he added.

Criticism of APC Under Tinubu’s Leadership

Beyond his exclusion from the cabinet, El-Rufai also expressed concerns about the current state of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He lamented that since Tinubu assumed office, the party’s organs have become inactive, and its founding progressive ideals are not being actively pursued.

“As a founding member of the APC, it is within my right to ask why the party is not functioning,” El-Rufai stated. “Since this administration took over, the party has been silent. There is no direction, no clear engagement with party structures, and no adherence to the progressive principles that we stood for when we formed the APC.”

El-Rufai’s remarks underscore growing concerns within the ruling party about internal cohesion and governance strategy. Some APC stakeholders have previously criticized the Tinubu administration for sidelining key figures who contributed to the party’s success.

Moving Forward: El-Rufai’s Next Political Steps

Despite his exclusion from the federal cabinet, El-Rufai maintains that he bears no ill will toward President Tinubu or his administration. He emphasized that his focus is now on personal and private endeavors, distancing himself from active political engagement for the time being.

“I have not said a word about the government since I moved on. I have not granted an interview or criticized any policies,” he noted. “But I have the right to speak on issues that affect the APC and Nigeria as a whole.”

While El-Rufai’s political future remains uncertain, his latest statements highlight underlying tensions within the APC and raise questions about the decision-making process within Tinubu’s government. Whether he will make a political comeback remains to be seen, but for now, the former Kaduna governor appears content with staying on the sidelines.