Why I Supported President Tinubu In 2023, I Would’ve Resigned If Appointed As Minister-El-Rufai

Former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-rufai has disclosed that he would have resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet if he (Tinubu) had appointed him as a minister as planned in 2023.

 Recall that El-rufai was among the 48 individuals nominated as ministers by President Bola Tinubu in July 2023, and although confirmation hearings were held for them the following month, the senate however refused to confirm the former Kaduna State governor and two others; Stella Okotete (Delta State) and Danladi Umar (Taraba State).

‘Even if the offer that Tinubu made to me to be a minister had gone through, I would have left the government long ago. The philosophy of this government is contrary to everything I have been taught as a Muslim, as a northerner, and as a Nigerian’ he said.

The former FCT minister also condemned what he called the governing philosophy of the Tinubu administration which, he noted, is in conflict with his understanding of public service.

‘I am in government for delivery, for results and performance. Public service is not about making money for yourself, it’s not about stealing, it’s not about appointing your cronies or your tribesmen. These guys didn’t come to govern, they came to enrich themselves, pure and simple. We are different people. So, it should not surprise anybody that knows me and knows Tinubu to see that we are parallel lines that will never meet’ he said.

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that the former Kaduna State governor, who said this while appearing on Trust TV’s 30 Minutes programme, also clarified that he was never a close pal of the president.

He also explained reasons for supporting the idea of having the presidential candidate of the party from the south in 2023.

‘I was never Tinubu’s friend. I was not. We never got along with Tinubu. We never had a personal relationship. We never had a prior relationship like the one I had with General Buhari, of blessed memory. So, I want everyone to understand that. For me, Tinubu was initially an aspirant of the party. And I was approached by certain Islamic stakeholders from the Southwest and asked to support the emergence of a Southwest Muslim presidential candidate.

That was how even the discussion started. And for me, as governor of Kaduna State, and as one of the founders of the APC, I knew that we had an understanding with the South, or specifically the Southwest, that after eight years of Buhari power will go to the South. It was a matter of principle I stood for that. It wasn’t about Tinubu. Tinubu just happened to be an extended beneficiary of that. Now, as soon as Tinubu won the primaries, it is a principle of mine that I fight for the candidate of my party in every election to win, whether I like the candidate or not. It’s not whether I like Tinubu or not. The fact that he emerged as the candidate of the party, for me, I would give everything to ensure that he won. And that was what I did’ he said

El-rufai also said he and the president could not just get along.

 ‘We didn’t fall out. We just could not find areas of agreement. There was no equilibrium. We couldn’t agree’ El-rufai added–Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you