Malam Nasir El-Rufai, a former Kaduna State Governor, has disclosed that Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu personally pleaded with him to be part of his government to help solve Nigeria’s persistent electricity crisis.
El-Rufai while speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa disclosed that Tinubu made the appeal during a visit to Kaduna in 2023, while campaigning for the presidency.
El-Rufai said Tinubu acknowledged the long-standing power sector problems and urged him to bring his expertise to the administration. However, despite this plea, El-Rufai said he was later sidelined from the government.
“President begged me in front of everybody in Kaduna to come and work with him. Still, I didn’t give him my approval until when I sat down and he told me this is what I want you to do,” he said.
“Issue of electricity has denied Nigeria so much development and every past president has tried and failed to fix it so he needs my help to achieve it.”
He further explained that he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to the party’s deviation from its founding principles.
“The APC abandoned the ideals that led to its formation.
“It has abandoned the people. Everyone is now pursuing personal interests and wealth. The government has become a business enterprise where everything has a price.
“There is no justice. Those who worked for the party are not recognised, let alone rewarded.
“Appointments are now controlled by a select group from Lagos. The party is dead. That is why I consulted Tunde Bakare, Buhari, Abdullahi Adamu, Adams Oshiomhole, and Bisi Akande before making my decision,” he stated.
“I have no regrets supporting him, but I feel blindsided. However, I supported Tinubu for two reasons,” El-Rufai stated.
“First, Yoruba Muslim leaders from the Southwest came to me in Kaduna, explaining that their people were facing political challenges. That was the first reason I supported Tinubu.
“The second reason was our agreement that the presidency should return to Southern Nigeria in 2023 to ensure balance and fairness in the country,” he added.
On whether he had a political godfather, El-Rufai denied the notion but admitted to seeking advice from certain individuals.
“What is a godfather? I have elders whom I consult before making any major decision. If they advise me to halt a plan, I do so. My primary political mentor is Muhammadu Buhari. As for the others, I won’t mention them to avoid undue pressure on them,” he said.
The former governor also confirmed that his departure from the APC was with the full knowledge of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I left APC with his knowledge. I went to him on Friday and informed him that I was leaving the party. There is nothing I do without informing him,” El-Rufai stated.
