In a recent revelation, Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, discussed the circumstances that led to his refusal of a ministerial position under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Contrary to widespread rumors, El-Rufai refuted claims that the National Assembly had rejected him during his screening for a ministerial role. He clarified that it was President Tinubu who, after initially requesting his participation, changed his mind about appointing him.
El-Rufai began by addressing speculation about his relationship with the current administration. “I have no issues with the Tinubu administration,” he said. “People say I’m a critic of the administration, but I’ve never said a word about it.” According to the former governor, his comments about democracy in Nigeria were intended to address the APC as a political party rather than the government led by Tinubu.
The former Kaduna governor explained that he had been asked by Tinubu to support his presidential bid. However, he made it clear from the start that he had no personal interest in any political gains. “I told President Tinubu from day one that I would support him, but I didn’t want anything,” El-Rufai stated. “I’m not in politics to get anything.”
El-Rufai emphasized his self-made status, noting that he had already achieved financial independence before entering public office. “I have a surname; I have made my money before coming into public office,” he remarked. “I don’t need anything.”
Having served as governor of Kaduna State for eight years, El-Rufai admitted that he was nearing burnout and sought a break from public life. “After eight years in Kaduna, I was nearly burnt out. I was struggling for eight years, and I wanted to take a break,” he explained. Despite this, he agreed to reconsider his plans when President Tinubu personally appealed to him.
El-Rufai outlined the negotiation process that followed. “The president publicly appealed to me to put my plans on hold, and after two months of discussions, we agreed that he would nominate me as minister,” he recalled. “There were certain conditions I attached to that.”
However, things took a turn when the president ultimately decided not to move forward with the nomination. El-Rufai said, “The president didn’t want me in his cabinet. He changed his mind. Whatever it is, frankly, I don’t care.”
Addressing rumors surrounding his rejection by the National Assembly, El-Rufai was clear: “Don’t believe the story that the National Assembly rejected me. The National Assembly had nothing to do with this.” According to him, the decision was entirely based on the president’s change of heart, not any external factors.
When questioned about security concerns raised in the media, El-Rufai was adamant. “What was the security issue?” he asked. “I had been a governor for eight years in one of the most difficult states in the country. I’ve been a minister 20 years earlier. What is the security issue?”
El-Rufai also pointed out inconsistencies in the process. “What about other ministers far less qualified, with huge controversies around them that scaled through because the president made a call?” he questioned, suggesting that there were no valid grounds for rejecting his nomination.
He further explained that the security issue provided an easy exit for him. “The security thing was a good thing for me, because it enabled me to say, ‘Mr. President, I’m gone,’ and I went home with my life,” El-Rufai admitted.
Despite the circumstances, he expressed no ill will. “The president is a human being, and he is entitled to change his mind,” he said. “It is a job I didn’t want in the first place.”
El-Rufai also revealed that he had maintained a cordial relationship with President Tinubu after the ministerial episode. “We have met a couple of times,” he shared, referring to their encounter at a recent birthday event for Baba Akande. “He asked me to come and see him. We discussed how we can work together.”
However, El-Rufai made it clear that his primary focus was on his private life. “I am fine, life is good,” he stated. “I don’t have any problem, I have a private life which predates politics, and I am pursuing my life.”
Reflecting on his personal well-being, El-Rufai assured that he was at peace. “Look at me, do I look like I’m stressed? I have put on weight, I sleep better, and I don’t have to read security reports about bandit attacks here. I am at peace,” he concluded, signaling that he had moved on from the political scene and was focused on enjoying a more relaxed life.
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Peace OdekunleFebruary 27, 20253 Mins read
