El-Rufai Criticises Tinubu’s Leadership, Calls For Opposition Unity.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has expressed disappointment in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that he and his allies had hoped Tinubu would replicate his achievements in Lagos at the national level but had “failed woefully.”
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Saturday, El-Rufai revealed that despite concerns surrounding Tinubu’s alleged certificate forgery from Chicago State University during the 2023 presidential election, he and his supporters backed him, believing in his ability to transform Nigeria.
“What pains me is that the government we supported and had confidence in would do well because we saw what Tinubu did in Lagos despite his challenges,” El-Rufai stated. “We all know about his issues in Chicago, but we thought if he could replicate his work in Lagos for Nigeria, let’s support him. However, he failed.”
Call for Opposition Unity
El-Rufai has now called on opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, to unite under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in an effort to “salvage the country.”
“What I want and pray for is for all opposition leaders—Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola—to join the SDP,” he added.
His comments suggest a push for a stronger coalition among opposition figures ahead of future elections, as discontent over Tinubu’s leadership continues to grow in some political circles.
Denies Betraying Atiku
El-Rufai also addressed allegations that he had betrayed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that his disagreements with Atiku during the Obasanjo administration were based on principles rather than personal animosity.
“I never betrayed Atiku Abubakar because we didn’t meet in politics; we met at work,” he explained. “If I see that he didn’t do well, whoever he is, I will tell him. I told Buhari, and I even took Buhari to court on the new naira issue.”
Reflecting on past political conflicts, El-Rufai asserted that his stance during the Obasanjo-Atiku rift was guided by his assessment of the situation.
“When Obasanjo and Atiku were having issues, those of us working with Obasanjo looked at the issues between them and said Obasanjo was more right. It was not about north and south; Obasanjo was right. Atiku and I are now together, and if I betrayed him, why are we together now?”
El-Rufai’s statements indicate a shift in political alliances and growing dissatisfaction with the current administration, setting the stage for potential realignments ahead of Nigeria’s next election cycle.
