Doyin Okupe, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), has voiced his support for former Governor Nasir El-Rufai to be cleared by the Senate as a minister.
Okupe, via Twitter on Wednesday, August 9, advised the Senate to reconsider the possibility of dropping El-Rufai’s name.
However, Okupe said that the former Kaduna governor had displayed religious extremism and radicalism.
But he noted that no one who knows the nominee can argue against the fact that he is a competent leader.
He advised the red chamber to understand El-Rufai before confirming him as a minister.
Okupe’s tweets read: “The Nigerian Senate should reconsider their decision to drop former Governor El Rufai from the ministerial list.
“I am not a fan of Mallam El Rufai, who I consider to be a radical of some sort and who has in recent past demonstrated some traits of religious extremism.
“Still, very few people will doubt El Rufai’s competence and immense capacity to perform. If it is true that he is being considered for the power ministry, I don’t think we should cut our noses to spite our faces.
“The Senate may insist on an undertaking from him before his confirmation that while in office as minister, he will refrain from making any comments or remarks on religion.
“The power ministry is extremely important in our economy and in our serious efforts to combat poverty.
“If any Nigerian can fix our energy problems, former Governor El Rufai is certainly one of such people.”
