I was never Tinubu’s friend; my 2023 support was political – El-Rufai
Former Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Clarifies Political Support for President Tinubu
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has stated that he was never friends with President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing that his support during the 2023 elections was strictly political.
In an interview with Trust TV on Monday, El-Rufai rejected the notion that he had a close personal relationship with Tinubu, contrasting it with his ties to former President Muhammadu Buhari. He explained that his endorsement of Tinubu was rooted in party dynamics.
“I was never Tinubu’s friend. We never had a personal relationship like the one I had with General Buhari,” El-Rufai said.
He recounted being approached by Islamic stakeholders from the southwest, who sought his backing for a southwest Muslim presidential candidate. El-Rufai mentioned that, as a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor, he understood that after eight years under Buhari, power would transition back to the south. He characterized Tinubu as an “accidental beneficiary” of this arrangement.
After Tinubu was designated the APC candidate, El-Rufai committed himself to the party’s success, adhering to his political principles. “It is a principle of mine to fight for the candidate of my party in every election, whether I like the candidate or not,” he stated. “The fact that he emerged as the party’s candidate meant I would give everything to ensure he won.”
El-Rufai noted that differences between himself and Tinubu became evident following the election, citing contrasting views on governance and public service. He asserted, “We didn’t fall out; we didn’t find areas of agreement. I am in government to serve the public and deliver results, not to enrich myself or appoint cronies.”
He described the current government’s philosophy as fundamentally opposed to his values as a Muslim and a Nigerian, stating, “They came to govern the cake, to enrich themselves. We are different people, parallel lines that will never meet.”
Additionally, El-Rufai addressed concerns regarding opposition governors defecting to the ruling party, asserting that such moves may not diminish resistance ahead of the 2027 elections. He recalled his own experiences, noting that despite Tinubu’s status, he lost in Kaduna during the last election and emphasized that incumbency does not guarantee electoral success. “The governor has only one vote,” he concluded.
