Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has explained why he no longer agrees with President Bola Tinubu, saying their differences are about governance principles, not personal issues.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV on Monday, El-Rufai said he was never a close friend of Tinubu, contrary to what many people believe.
“I was never Tinubu’s friend. We did not have a personal relationship like the one I had with General Buhari of blessed memory,” he said.
El-Rufai explained that his support for Tinubu’s presidential ambition was not based on friendship, but on political balance and party understanding.
He said some Islamic leaders from the South-West asked him to support a South-West Muslim candidate for president.
“As governor of Kaduna and a founding member of APC, I knew there was an understanding that after Buhari’s eight years, power would return to the South. It was not about Tinubu personally; he only benefited from that arrangement,” he said.
According to El-Rufai, once Tinubu won the APC presidential ticket, he fully supported him out of party loyalty.
“It is my principle to support my party’s candidate in every election, whether I like the person or not. Since he became the APC candidate, I did everything possible to help him win,” he said.
However, El-Rufai said his disagreement with the Tinubu administration started because they do not share the same ideas about governance.
“We didn’t fall out; we just couldn’t agree. I believe government should serve the people and deliver results, not enrich individuals or appoint cronies,” he stated.
He added that the current government’s approach goes against his values as a Muslim, a northerner, and a Nigerian, accusing the administration of focusing on self-interest rather than public service.
“They came to share the cake. We are different people, moving in parallel lines that will never meet,” he said.
El-Rufai also revealed that this difference in beliefs was why he rejected a ministerial appointment offered by President Tinubu.
“If I had accepted the ministerial role, I would have resigned shortly after. Our views on governance are completely different,” he concluded.
