“I Was Never Tinubu’s Friend” — El-Rufai Finally Breaks Silence on Rift with President
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has opened up on the long-rumoured disagreement between him and President Bola Tinubu, saying their relationship was never built on friendship.
El-Rufai said the misunderstanding between them was not personal but based on different political beliefs and views on governance.
In an interview with Trust TV, the former governor dismissed claims that he and Tinubu were once close allies.
“I was never Tinubu’s friend. We never had a personal relationship like the one I had with General Buhari,” El-Rufai said.
He explained that his decision to support Tinubu during the 2023 presidential race was guided by political principle and party arrangements, not personal loyalty.
According to him, influential Islamic figures from the South-West first approached him to back a Muslim presidential candidate from the region. This, he said, shaped his involvement in the early discussions that later favoured Tinubu.
El-Rufai stated that within the All Progressives Congress (APC), there was a general belief that power should return to the South after the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He added that Tinubu only benefited from that understanding.
“It wasn’t about Tinubu; he was merely an accidental beneficiary,” he said.
The former governor noted that once Tinubu emerged as the APC presidential candidate, he committed himself fully to the party’s campaign.
“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,” El-Rufai said.
However, he revealed that their relationship later became strained because of sharp differences in leadership style and values.
El-Rufai accused the current administration of focusing on personal gain rather than public service.
“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,” he said.
He further disclosed that even if he had accepted the ministerial role publicly offered to him by Tinubu, he would not have stayed long in the administration.
El-Rufai maintained that his values and the direction of the government could not align.
