Obasanjo Says He Rejected El-Rufai As Successor, Chose Yar’Adua Instead

Obasanjo Says He Rejected El-Rufai As Successor, Chose Yar’Adua Instead

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that he declined a proposal to make former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, his successor after leaving office in 2007. El-Rufai, who served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and later as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under Obasanjo’s administration, was reportedly recommended for the presidency by former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka. Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the Ajibosin Platform symposium, Obasanjo recounted how Chidoka lobbied for El-Rufai to succeed him when he was preparing to leave office. “Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said, referring to Chidoka. The elder statesman then turned to Chidoka and asked, “No be so (Is that not true)?” to which Chidoka nodded in confirmation. Obasanjo continued, “I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person, why didn’t you agree?’ I said El-Rufai needs to mature. You remember? “When I left government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’” Obasanjo eventually backed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his successor, a decision that marked the transition of power in 2007.

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El-Rufai Slams Tinubu Government as Nigeria’s Most Failed Administration

El-Rufai Calls for Federalism, Elite Consensus to Secure Nigeria’s Future

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called on Nigerians to embrace true federalism, credible elections, and an elite consensus as the foundation for the country’s stability and progress over the next 65 years. El-Rufai made this appeal while engaging clergy, professionals, and citizens in Owerri, the Imo State capital, where he stressed the urgent need for a shared national vision to address Nigeria’s lingering structural challenges. He noted that despite democratic gains since the return to civil rule in 1999, public participation in elections has drastically declined. “Voter turnout has fallen from over 60 percent in 2003 to barely 27 percent in 2023, reflecting growing estrangement from the electoral process,” he observed. According to him, Nigeria, projected to surpass 400 million people by 2050, remains structurally fragile despite being the world’s most populous Black nation. The former FCT Minister listed widespread poverty, youth unemployment, inflation, and rising public debt as urgent issues that threaten the country’s stability. He emphasized that the solution lies in forging a new elite consensus — an agreement among political leaders, business stakeholders, and civil society on the nation’s direction. “Nigeria needs an elite consensus to define our national priorities, strengthen federalism, and restore faith in the electoral process,” El-Rufai said.

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SDP Expels El-Rufai, Bans Him from Party Activities for 30 Years

SDP Expels El-Rufai, Bans Him from Party Activities for 30 Years

Kaduna, Nigeria – July 28, 2025The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has officially expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, and banned him from all party-related activities and membership rights for the next 30 years. The announcement was made on Monday in a statement issued by the SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba. The party accused El-Rufai of falsely presenting himself as a member without undergoing proper registration processes, a violation of party protocols and Nigeria’s electoral regulations. According to the statement, El-Rufai allegedly forged documents to claim membership in Unguwar Sarki Ward of Kaduna North LGA and assigned himself membership number “001”. Despite making public declarations on social media that he had joined the SDP, investigations by the party revealed that he never completed the required registration at the ward level. The SDP also accused the former governor of using the party’s name in unauthorized political dealings, attempting to pull the SDP into coalition arrangements without the consent of its leadership, and destabilizing party structures with “obscene inducements, misinformation, and manipulation.” “Effective immediately, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai is excommunicated from the Social Democratic Party, with a 30-year ban from applying for membership or associating with the party in any capacity,” the statement read. The party said it has notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant bodies of the decision. The SDP reaffirmed its commitment to internal discipline, ideological clarity, and ethical political engagement, urging all prospective members to adhere strictly to its constitutional procedures.

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El-Rufai Declares Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election Impossible, Slams APC and Defectors

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has declared that President Bola Tinubu has no realistic chance of winning re-election in 2027, insisting that anyone who believes otherwise is “living in another country.” In a bold statement shared via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftain said the Nigerian people have lost confidence in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the presidency, citing growing dissatisfaction with the government’s policies. “Anybody that thinks it is possible for President Bola Tinubu to get re-elected is living in another country, not Nigeria. It is impossible for Bola Tinubu to get re-elected,” El-Rufai said during the interview. He further argued that even the weakest opposition candidate would defeat the president in a head-to-head contest due to mounting public frustration and economic hardship. “I don’t see a pathway for him,” he added. The former FCT Minister dismissed the ongoing wave of defections to the APC as politically motivated, saying many of those joining the ruling party are either “greedy” or fearful of prosecution by anti-corruption agencies. “It is greedy and hungry politicians and those that are looking for money, contract, appointment, office that are defecting,” he stated. “The other class of those defecting are those that know that the EFCC or ICPC can intimidate them, because they know what they have done if they have done what is not quite right.” El-Rufai, a former Tinubu ally during the 2023 elections, has since defected to the SDP and is now building an opposition coalition ahead of 2027. He revealed that the alliance includes prominent figures like former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. According to him, the real contest in the next general election will not be between political parties but between the APC and ordinary Nigerians. “The ruling party’s popularity has faded across the country,” El-Rufai declared. The former governor’s remarks have further intensified speculation about cracks within the APC and the likelihood of a formidable opposition emerging ahead of the next presidential election.

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Akindele

PDP Governors No Longer Backing Atiku – APC Chieftain Akindele Mocks El-Rufai

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ayekooto Akindele, has claimed that no Nigerian governor, including Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, will support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid in 2027. Akindele mocked Atiku, alleging that Adeleke no longer answers his calls during the day. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Akindele dismissed Atiku and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai’s chances of challenging President Bola Tinubu’s reelection, declaring that they cannot prevent Tinubu from completing a second term in office. His remarks come amid reports of a growing rift within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to those reports, a secret deal between some PDP governors and President Tinubu is said to be fueling internal unrest in the opposition party. The alliance is believed to be weakening Atiku’s influence and undermining his political base ahead of the 2027 general election. Recently, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, publicly declared his support for Tinubu, stating the president enjoys broad national backing and will remain in power until 2031. His comment came shortly after the PDP Governors’ Forum reportedly distanced itself from Atiku’s proposed coalition. Akindele doubled down on his criticism, writing: “There’s no Nigerian governor who has declared support for Atiku in 2027. Even Adeleke no dey pick Atiku’s calls at daytime again. One million Atikus and El-Rufais cannot stop the South and Tinubu from spending eight years in power. When it comes to politics, don’t drag anything with the JAGABAN

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El-Rufai Slams Tinubu Government as Nigeria’s Most Failed Administration

El-Rufai Slams Tinubu Government as Nigeria’s Most Failed Administration

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, labeling it the most corrupt and dishonest in Nigeria’s political history. In a fresh round of criticism, El-Rufai accused the federal government of thriving on false propaganda, particularly in its handling of the country’s worsening security crisis. He described the administration as “the most lying government” and questioned its credibility on key national issues. Addressing reporters, El-Rufai challenged the narrative that things were improving under the Tinubu-led government. “Can you afford three square meals? Can your salary buy what it used to two years ago?” he asked, highlighting the deteriorating economic situation. He insisted that the government had failed to offer practical solutions to the root causes of insecurity and had instead resorted to misinformation. “They announce that security has improved while notorious bandits like Dogo Gide, Mallam Abba, and Bello Turji are still at large,” he stated. He criticized the government for inflating claims of success in the fight against terrorism and banditry, arguing that most high-profile criminals remained active. “How many local governments in Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto are under bandit control?” he queried. El-Rufai warned that ignoring these realities amounted to a dangerous delusion. “You are free to engage in your grand delusion, but when you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth,” he said. On his past support for Tinubu, El-Rufai distanced himself from the federal administration, stating that while he had campaigned for the president as the APC candidate, he was never part of his government. “From 2015 to 2023, I was focused on my duties as governor of Kaduna State. I can only account for what I did there. I was not involved in the running of the federal government,” he clarified. El-Rufai also revealed his efforts to rebuild the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which he described as a party with a credible history but in need of revitalization. “We have to build it from the ground up, just like we did with the APC,” he said. He affirmed his commitment to challenging what he called tyranny, incompetence, and grand corruption. Responding to comments from the APC national chairman that Tinubu cannot be unseated in 2027, El-Rufai replied, “Silence is the best answer.” He concluded by expressing hope that Nigerians would rise to reject bad governance and hold leaders accountable, emphasizing his visit to Katsina was both to offer condolences and to consult with SDP leaders on the party’s future.

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President Tinubu congratulates El-Rufai on 65th birthday

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on his 65th birthday. Mallam El-Rufai is an administrator, scholar, and politician. He is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and highly regarded for his resourcefulness and brilliance. He served as governor of Kaduna State for eight years, and prior to elective office, he had served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 2003 to 2007. President Tinubu celebrated Mallam El-Rufai on this occasion and commends his endeavours for democracy; his meritorious service to the nation, and mentorship of the younger generation. The President acknowledged Mallam El-Rufai’s role in the dialogues leading up to the formation of the APC and his contributions to the success of the party in the three consecutive elections of 2015, 2019, and 2023. President Tinubu wished El-Rufai good health and strength for continuous service to the nation.

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Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Revitalizing Road Infrastructure Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Revitalizing Road Infrastructure

2027: South West, Tinubu’s supporters playing with fire – Part 2

By Mallam Nasir El-Rufai Driven by ego and the arrogance of power, these South South and PDP elements increasingly and I dare add naively went against the North, where the PDP still had considerable influence and support then, in the most condescending manner and in so doing gradually lost the support of the North to the advantage of Buhari and the APC coalition. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, as I Iook at the rambunctiousness of some APC members and fellow supporters of President Bola Tinubu, especially from the south west geopolitical zone, I wonder if people have any sense of history and if they truly understand Nigerian politics. I read some people say that President Tinubu is not former President Jonathan, Jagaban is a political juggernaut and master strategist, etc. All that I totally agree with. No question whatsoever. However, politics is not a one champion show. While fPGEJ lacked equivalent political gravitas and sophistication (with all due respect to him) as PBAT, he had the then formidable PDP behemoth which could have actually seen him through but for the grievous ‘political mistake’ of messing with the North. Love or loathe that fact, the North remains the kingmaker in Nigerian politics, at least, as of today. Any politician or political party that plays with that reality might pay a steep political price for it. People who ignore history are bound to fall victim and to repeat mistakes of the past. I just want to prod our political senses, in case some of us are forgetting, in the euphoria of tribal and geopolitical politics. I hope better sense will prevail and soon too. It is whom you love that you chastise. In all, I continue to wish PBAT and my party, the APC well. With almost exactly two years to the month to the 2027 general elections, let’s focus and continue to deliver the promised dividends of democracy to Nigerians. GodBlessNigeria

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