Former Kaduna State Governor and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed claims of a personal fallout with President Bola Tinubu, saying he never had a personal relationship with the President. El-Rufai clarified the issue during an interview on Trust TV on Monday, saying he supported Tinubu’s 2023 presidential ambition out of …
My Support For Tinubu Was Based on Party Loyalty, Not Friendship — El-Rufai
Former Kaduna State Governor and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed claims of a personal fallout with President Bola Tinubu, saying he never had a personal relationship with the President.
El-Rufai clarified the issue during an interview on Trust TV on Monday, saying he supported Tinubu’s 2023 presidential ambition out of party loyalty and political arrangements rather than personal friendship.
“I was never Tinubu’s friend. We never had a personal relationship like the one I had with General Buhari of blessed memory,” he said.
How Tinubu’s Candidacy Emerged
The former governor said his involvement in Tinubu’s emergence followed consultations within the All Progressives Congress and wider political considerations ahead of the election.
He disclosed that Islamic stakeholders from the South-West approached him to support the emergence of a Muslim presidential candidate from the region, which set the process in motion.
“I was approached by certain Islamic stakeholders from the South-West to support the emergence of a South-West Muslim presidential candidate. That was how the discussions started,” El-Rufai said.
Zoning Arrangement Favoured the South
El-Rufai added that the zoning understanding within the APC after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure made a southern presidency inevitable.
“As governor of Kaduna State and one of the founders of the APC, I knew there was an understanding that after eight years of Buhari, power would return to the South. It was not about Tinubu; he was simply an accidental beneficiary,” he said.
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He noted that once Tinubu emerged as the party’s presidential candidate, he committed himself fully to the campaign in line with his long-held political principles.
“It is my principle to fight for the candidate of my party in every election, whether I like the candidate or not. The moment he became the party’s candidate, I gave everything to ensure he won,” El-Rufai said.
Post-election Disagreements
El-Rufai said disagreements surfaced after the election due to fundamental differences in their approaches to governance and public service.
“We did not fall out; we simply did not find areas of agreement. I am in government to serve the public and deliver results, not to enrich myself or appoint cronies,” he said.
According to him, the governing philosophy of the current administration sharply contrasts with his personal values.
“The philosophy of this government is contrary to everything I have been taught as a Muslim, a northerner and a Nigerian. They came to govern the cake and enrich themselves. We are different people, parallel lines that will never meet,” he said.
Why I Rejected Ministerial Offer
El-Rufai further disclosed that his decision to reject a ministerial appointment offered by President Tinubu was rooted in these same differences.
“If I had accepted the ministerial position that was publicly offered to me, I would have resigned shortly after. Our philosophies of governance are worlds apart,” he added.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
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