El-Rufai Criticizes Key Figures in Tinubu’s Administration

By Mohammad Musa

In recent developments, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has openly criticized key figures within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. El-Rufai alleges that, despite President Tinubu’s public appeals for him to join the cabinet, his ministerial nomination was unexpectedly withdrawn. In an interview with ARISE NEWS, El-Rufai stated, “I have no issues with the Tinubu administration… I had my plans and I told President Tinubu from day one… I don’t want anything.”

The former governor has also accused his successor, Governor Uba Sani, of sycophancy and pandering to President Tinubu for personal gain. This criticism followed Sani’s remarks expressing surprise at the growing dissent from some founding members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) towards Tinubu’s leadership. El-Rufai alleged that Sani’s unwavering support for Tinubu was linked to over N150 billion in federal reimbursements received by Kaduna State in the past 18 months.

In response to El-Rufai’s assertions, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, dismissed the former governor’s capacity to destabilize the administration. Bwala stated, “El-Rufai does not have the capacity to make the president unsettled. No opposition party, even if combined, can make the president unsettled.”

Despite the ongoing criticisms, President Tinubu extended birthday wishes to El-Rufai on his 65th birthday, lauding his contributions to governance both as Kaduna State governor and in previous roles. The President described El-Rufai as a “scholar, administrator, and politician… highly regarded for his resourcefulness and brilliance.”

These exchanges highlight the growing tensions within the APC and raise questions about internal dynamics as the administration continues its tenure.

Mohammad Musa a writer based in Lagos