By Ade Iyamoye
In a revelation that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has made a bold claim: “The president didn’t want me in his cabinet.”
This confession, made during an interview with Arise TV, pulls back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes drama that has fueled speculation since El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination was rejected by the Senate in 2023.
While the official reason for the Senate’s refusal was linked to “security concerns,” El-Rufai’s latest statement suggests a deeper, more personal political undercurrent.
El-Rufai, who once stood as a strong ally of President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 election, revealed that despite his name being sent for confirmation, Tinubu had no genuine intention of including him in his cabinet.
“The National Assembly has nothing to do with me,” he declared, dismissing the Senate’s security claims as mere political cover.
This revelation raises unsettling questions about internal fractures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
El-Rufai’s assertion that he faced no credible security threat—having previously served as both a minister and governor of one of Nigeria’s most challenging states—casts doubt on the transparency of the nomination process and hints at deliberate political exclusion.
The fallout between Tinubu and El-Rufai appears to have worsened, with the former governor openly criticizing the party and distancing himself from his successor, Governor Uba Sani.
His declaration that “The president changed his mind, and I moved on” signals not just personal disappointment but a growing divide within the APC’s power structure.
This development highlights a worrying trend of political maneuvering within Nigeria’s leadership—one that could deepen existing cracks in the nation’s governance.
The question remains: Was this a strategic move by Tinubu to sideline a potential rival, or a genuine concern for national security?
As this political drama unfolds, it underscores the need for transparency in appointments and a leadership that prioritizes national unity over personal politics.
The implications of this rift could shape the future dynamics within the APC and, ultimately, Nigeria’s political landscape.
