I Didn’t Beg For Ministerial Post, Tinubu Begged Me To Work With Him — El-Rufai

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai said that he never sought a ministerial position in the government of President Bola Tinubu although he attended a ministerial screening because the president personally urged him to join his administration.

El-Rufai, in an interview with BBC Hausa, said the President pleaded with him to help achieve his vision for a stable power supply.

“Some think I left because I wasn’t appointed as a minister, but I never asked for that position. I went for screening because the President begged me to work with him. He came to me in Kaduna and we discussed his vision for steady power supply, and he asked me to help him achieve that. I thought he was serious at the time,” El-Rufai stated.

He also dismissed speculation that his exit was driven by personal ambition or unmet expectations from the Tinubu administration.

“I do not regret supporting him, but I feel disappointed. The reason I don’t regret it is because of two factors. First, Yoruba leaders from the South-West came to me in Kaduna, explaining that Muslim politicians in their region were facing political challenges. That was why I supported Tinubu.

“Secondly, we had agreed that in 2023, the presidency should shift to the South to promote fairness and justice in the country,” he explained.

He further clarified that his decision to leave the APC was made with the consent of former President Muhammadu Buhari. According to him, he informed Buhari before officially resigning and joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

“I left APC with his knowledge. On Friday, I went to him and told him that I was leaving the party because I do not take any major political decision without informing him. Even when I was governor of Kaduna and wanted to appoint commissioners, I sent him the list to review and ensure there was no one who had insulted him in the past. After reviewing it, he said there was no problem and prayed for success. I always consult him before making any major decision,” El-Rufai disclosed.

LEADERSHIP reports that El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC recently announced his resignation from the ruling party, expressing disappointment with its leadership.

In a statement on Monday, he accused the APC of deviating from its progressive ideals, stating that his warnings about the party’s trajectory over the past two years had been ignored.

When asked if he has a political Godfather, El-Rufai acknowledged Buhari’s influence but refused to name others.

“I have political associates whom I consult before making decisions. If they advise me to drop a plan, I do so. My first political mentor is Muhammadu Buhari. I won’t mention the others because if I do, people will start pressuring them,” he said.

El-Rufai described the APC as a party that has abandoned its founding principles and now prioritises personal gain over public service.

“APC has neglected the people. Everyone is looking out for their personal interests and making money. The government has turned into a business, where everything has a price. There is no justice. The party does not even recognise those who worked hard for it.

“For every appointment, they only pick people from Lagos. The party is dead. That is why I consulted Tunde Bakare, Buhari, Abdullahi Adamu, Adams Oshiomhole, and Bisi Akande before making my decision,” El-Rufai stated.