Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, has disclosed that he and his allies supported Bola Tinubu’s presidential bid in 2023, even though they were aware of allegations surrounding Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate and other controversial aspects of his past.
He acknowledged that the authenticity of Tinubu’s Chicago certificate was a prominent issue during the 2023 election campaign and was subject to legal challenges after the election.
In a BBC Hausa interview released on Saturday, El-Rufai stated that their support was based on the belief that Tinubu could replicate his performance as governor of Lagos State at the national level.
However, El-Rufai expressed disappointment, stating that Tinubu has not met expectations despite their support.
Read Also: Why Tinubu Is Not Worried About 2027 Election – Presidency
“What pains me is that the government we supported and had confidence in would do well, because we saw what Tinubu did in Lagos despite his challenges. We all know about his issues in Chicago, but we thought if he could replicate his work in Lagos for Nigeria, let’s support him. However, he failed.”,Mr El-Rufai.
Mr El-Rufai also appealed to prominent opposition leaders to join the SDP to salvage the country.
“What I want and pray for is for all opposition leaders—Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola—to join the SDP,” he added.
Nasir El-Rufai refuted claims that he betrayed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He addressed the historical political conflict between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Abubakar, stating that at the time, those who worked with Obasanjo, including himself, were convinced that Obasanjo’s position was justified.
“I never betrayed Atiku Abubakar because we didn’t meet in politics; we met at work. In work, if I see that he didn’t do well, whoever he is, I will tell him. I told Buhari, and I even took Buhari to court on the new naira issue.
“When Obasanjo and Atiku were having issues, those of us working with Obasanjo looked at the issues between them and said Obasanjo was more right. It was not about north and south; Obasanjo was right. Atiku and I are now together, and if I betrayed him, why are we together now,” he queried.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
