El-Rufai: Tinubu Got It Wrong, Says Ndume

Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District of Borno State, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has said that President Bola Tinubu made a ‘critical error’ in the composition of his cabinet and other appointees, especially regarding the former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

Speaking on Arise News Channel’s PrimeTime show on Tuesday evening, the former Senate Leader reflected on the political shifts that have led to tensions between El-Rufai and President Tinubu, leading to the former quitting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“El-Rufai was supposed to be on our side – Amaechi’s side – and somehow he moved to Tinubu’s side,” Ndume revealed. “I think these are part of the things that are annoying or frustrating him because he (Tinubu) said that El-Rufai should not leave, that he should come on board.”

Ndume expressed confusion over what transpired between the president and the former governor, saying: “Since then, I have not been that close to El-Rufai because he abandoned our group and went to support Tinubu fully. He did a lot—mobilising and all that. Then, Tinubu asked him to join the government. But somehow, up till now, I don’t understand what happened between El-Rufai and Tinubu. That is not my business.”

Recalling the Senate rejection of El-Rufai as a ministerial nominee of Tinubu, Ndume added: “I was the Chief Whip. El-Rufai came to the chamber, and we almost asked him to take a bow and go or just lay out some plans. I am not El-Rufai’s fan or friend or anything, but truth must be told.”

He criticised Tinubu’s style of governance, warning that the president may be surrounded by individuals who lacked the courage to offer honest advice.

“You see, that was where Mr. President got it wrong. You don’t form your government with dependence,” Ndume asserted. “The worst part of it is that the president is a kingmaker, remember? So when a kingmaker becomes a king, then there is a problem. He must identify himself so he can have people that will stand up to him and tell him the truth. That is what is lacking in this government.”

Ndume did not hold back in his assessment of the current administration, labelling it as being run by “kakistocrats and kleptocrats.”

“I still stand by it ..until there is a change, the government of Tinubu is dominated by kakistocrats and kleptocrats,” he stated firmly.

Reacting to a recent remark made by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, who reportedly referred to him as a “frustrated lone wolf”, Ndume fired back, calling Onanuga a “domestic staff” of the president.

“I don’t want to respond to Bayo Onanuga. He is just a Nigerian, he is a domestic staff to the president. I am a four-time Senator. How dare he call me… but I am happy he called me a lone wolf. He is a maga dog.”

When the show host, Charles Aniagolu, interjected that Onanuga had also called him “frustrated”, Ndume rejected the label: “No, I am not frustrated. Why would I be frustrated? I contested to be a Senator, I won four times. I won two times in the House of Representatives. Where does the frustration come in?”