Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has disclosed that it was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who decided against his inclusion in the cabinet, not the National Assembly. El-Rufai made this revelation during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ on Monday.

Contrary to widespread speculation, El-Rufai clarified, “Please don’t believe the story that the National Assembly rejected me. The National Assembly had nothing to do with this. The President didn’t want me in his cabinet; he changed his mind.” He emphasized that he holds no grudges and has moved on from the situation.

“I Didn’t Want Any Political Appointment”

El-Rufai explained that he initially had no interest in a ministerial position. According to him, he supported Tinubu’s presidential bid without any expectation of personal reward. “I’m not in politics to get anything. I have a surname and I’m a self-made man… After eight years in Kaduna, I was nearly burnt out, and I wanted to take a break,” he said.

He disclosed that despite his initial reluctance, President Tinubu publicly urged him to serve in the administration. After two months of negotiations, El-Rufai agreed to be nominated as a minister under certain conditions. However, “either the President changed his mind or something else,” leading to his exclusion from the final list of ministers.

Addressing APC’s Internal Issues

El-Rufai also expressed concern about the state of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it is his right as a founding member to question why the party isn’t functioning effectively.

This revelation from El-Rufai provides new insights into the political dynamics within President Tinubu’s administration and clarifies the circumstances surrounding his absence from the ministerial cabinet.