El-Rufai: Tinubu Begged Me to Join His Cabinet but Later Changed His Mind
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu personally appealed to him to serve in his administration as a minister, only to later withdraw the offer.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Tuesday, El-Rufai clarified that contrary to public speculation, he was not rejected by the National Assembly but rather sidelined after Tinubu had a change of heart.
“Guys, I was a minister 20 years ago in my forties, and I told Tinubu I was not interested in the role. But he appealed to me, begged me, and gave me a challenge,” he said.
According to El-Rufai, Tinubu had tasked him with tackling Nigeria’s power sector crisis, promising that they could work together to dismantle what he described as the “electricity mafia.”
“No president has been able to defeat the electricity cartel. He told me we could do it together, and that challenge made me accept,” El-Rufai stated.
However, despite initially accepting the role, the former governor said the President later reversed the decision, prompting him to move on with his life.
“I had an opportunity to serve my country, and the person who gave me that opportunity changed his mind. It’s okay—I’ve moved on,” he concluded.
El-Rufai was among Tinubu’s ministerial nominees submitted to the Senate for screening in 2023. However, his confirmation was stalled after security clearance issues were raised. His latest revelation sheds new light on the circumstances surrounding his exclusion from the cabinet.
Political Fallout and Speculation
The former governor’s statement comes amid reports of strained relations between him and the presidency. His comments are likely to reignite discussions about internal power struggles within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the politics behind ministerial appointments.
While El-Rufai insists he has moved on, political observers believe his remarks suggest lingering tensions within Tinubu’s camp. Whether this revelation signals a broader rift or merely a footnote in their political history remains to be seen.
