Nasir El-Rufai revealed that President Bola Tinubu, not the National Assembly, rejected his ministerial nomination, sparking political controversy. El-Rufai emphasised his independence and set conditions for his political return, challenging the integrity of the APC’s nomination process. This incident raises concerns about political dynamics and the criteria for cabinet selections in Nigeria.
ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai has ignited a political maelstrom with his latest disclosure that it was President Bola Tinubu—not the National Assembly—that rejected his ministerial nomination.
Speaking candidly on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Monday, El-Rufai dispelled persistent rumours and offered an unvarnished account of the internal machinations that underscore Nigeria’s turbulent political landscape.
El-Rufai, a stalwart known for his uncompromising independence, recalled how, shortly after leaving office, he was publicly entreated by President Tinubu to rejoin government service.
The President’s impassioned plea, urging him to “not be far” from his side after departing office, appeared at the time as a testament to Tinubu’s desire to harness El-Rufai’s experience.
Yet, as the negotiations unfolded over two intense months, it became apparent that El-Rufai was no mere political lapdog. Having weathered eight arduous years in Kaduna—a period marked by relentless challenges and near burnout—he was determined to return on his own terms.
According to El-Rufai, he had set clear conditions before accepting the ministerial role, emphasising that his re-entry into politics was not driven by a lust for patronage or personal gain.
“I’m not in politics for that reason. I have a surname and I’m a self-made man,” he declared, reinforcing his reputation as a principled and independent statesman.
His stance resonated with many Nigerians disillusioned by a political system often accused of trading appointments for loyalty rather than merit.
In a twist that has sent shockwaves through political circles, El-Rufai categorically refuted claims that the National Assembly was responsible for his snub.
“Please don’t believe the story that the National Assembly rejected me. The National Assembly had nothing to do with this. The President didn’t want me in his cabinet; he changed his mind,” he asserted.
This revelation has provoked a storm of speculation. Political insiders are now questioning whether Tinubu’s abrupt change of heart was the result of shifting alliances within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or an indication of deeper strategic recalibrations ahead of future electoral contests.
Critics argue that Tinubu’s decision undermines the transparency and integrity of the ministerial nomination process. With the APC already facing internal divisions, this cabinet snub could exacerbate existing fissures within the party.
Observers have long warned that opaque negotiations and personal vendettas are endemic to Nigerian politics, and El-Rufai’s experience is a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in power plays at the highest echelons of government.
The fallout from this disclosure is likely to reverberate well beyond personal reputations. As a founding member of the APC, El-Rufai’s public challenge not only questions the motives behind his rejection but also casts a critical light on the operational dynamics of the party itself.
This incident raises pressing questions about the criteria employed in selecting cabinet ministers and whether political expediency is beginning to trump merit and loyalty.
As Nigeria braces for further political upheaval, the Tinubu–El-Rufai debacle serves as a potent reminder that behind every public pronouncement lies a labyrinth of alliances, betrayals, and shifting allegiances.
Atlantic Post will continue to scrutinise these developments as the drama unfolds, with implications that could well reshape the future of Nigeria’s political order.
- Additional report by Osaigbovo Okungbowa, Atlantic Post Senior Political Correspondent
