Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has denied claims of a close relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the president was never his friend.
El-Rufai is said to have fallen out with the president over political differences. While rumours suggest the rift stemmed from his exclusion from a ministerial appointment, he has dismissed such claims.
Speaking in a recent interview, El-Rufai explained that his disagreement with President Tinubu is rooted in ideological differences, noting that the philosophy of the current administration runs contrary to the principles he has been taught as a Muslim.
El-Rufai said; “I was never Tinubu’s friend. We never had a personal relationship like the one I had with General Buhari.”
“I was approached by certain Islamic stakeholders from the southwest to support the emergence of a southwest Muslim presidential candidate.”
“That is how the discussions started. 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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Even if I had accepted Tinubu’s publicly offered ministerial position, I would have left the government due to those fundamental differences in philosophy.”