Dare Babalola
Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and a prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has expressed that he would have tendered his resignation as a minister in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet if his nomination had been confirmed by the Senate.
Recall that the Senate rejected the ministerial nomination of El-Rufai in August 2023, citing security concerns.
However, El-Rufai claims Tinubu was behind the decision, not the National Assembly, stating that Tinubu had initially agreed to nominate him as a minister, but later changed his mind.
El-Rufai’s rejection was attributed to security reports from the Department of State Services (DSS). Some reports suggest his government’s actions, including demolishing homes of political opponents and alleged contributions to violence in Kaduna, raised red flags.
El-Rufai denies these claims, questioning the lack of transparency around the security report.
The fallout led to El-Rufai’s disagreement with the APC, ultimately contributing to his exit from the party.
He criticised the APC’s leadership, alleging they abandoned progressive values and internal democracy.
Speaking during an interview with Trust TV on Monday, El-Rufai, who has in recent times slammed Tinubu’s government, revealed that his fallout with the present administration stemmed from what he described as a clash of governance philosophies.
He said, “We didn’t fall out; we just didn’t find areas of agreement. I am in government to serve the public and deliver results, not to enrich myself or appoint cronies.
“The philosophy of this government is contrary to everything I’ve been taught as a Muslim, a northerner, and a Nigerian. They came to govern the cake, to enrich themselves. We are different people, parallel lines that will never meet.”
He further disclosed that his decision to reject a ministerial appointment from President Tinubu was based on those same principles.
“If I had accepted the ministerial position that was publicly offered to me, I would have resigned shortly after. Our fundamental philosophies of governance are worlds apart,” El-Rufai declared.
