Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has opened up about his strained relationship with President Bola Tinubu, revealing that their differences stem from conflicting governance philosophies rather than personal animosity.
In an interview with Trust TV, El-Rufai made it clear that he and Tinubu were never close associates.
“I was never Tinubu’s friend. We never had a personal relationship like the one I had with General Buhari,” the former governor stated.
El-Rufai disclosed that his initial backing of Tinubu’s presidential bid was based on principle, not friendship. He said Islamic leaders from the southwest approached him to support a Muslim candidate from their region.
“As governor of Kaduna and one of the founders of APC, I knew there was an understanding that after 8 years of Buhari, power would return to the south. It wasn’t about Tinubu; he was merely an accidental beneficiary,” he explained.
Despite his reservations, El-Rufai said he remained committed to supporting Tinubu once he became the APC’s candidate.
“It is a principle of mine to fight for the candidate of my party in every election, whether I like the candidate or not. The fact that he emerged as the party’s candidate meant I would give everything to ensure he won,” he said.
However, El-Rufai pointed to fundamental disagreements over how government should function as the real source of their divide.
“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 said.
“The philosophy of this government is contrary to everything I’ve been taught as a Muslim, a northerner, and a Nigerian. They came to govern the cake, to enrich themselves. We are different people—parallel lines that will never meet.”
El-Rufai added that even if he had accepted the ministerial position Tinubu publicly offered him, he would have eventually resigned due to these irreconcilable differences in governing philosophy.
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