El-Rufai criticized the Tinubu Cabinet, said he wanted to correct mistakes from 2023 election support

Former Governor of the State of Kaduna and former Minister of Federal Capital Region, Nasir El-Rufai, has launched a scathing criticism of the administration of Bola President Ahmed Tinubu, describing the current federal cabinet as a “tragedy” without competence and vision.

Speaking during an interview broadcast by television on Arise News on Monday, El-Rufai regretted that the government led by Tinubu had failed to rise to the opportunity, despite the highly strengthened presidential legacy as a reform-thinking governor in the state of Lagos between 1999 and 2007.

“Look at the cabinet, this is a joke. This is the biggest in Nigerian history, and maybe only five of them can be called real ministers,” El-Rufai said bluntly.
“In my time as a minister 20 years ago, we had people from the Ngozi Okonjo-iweala and Oby Ezekwesili caliber. Who did you see in this cabinet in accordance with the profile?”

The former governor did not hold back his disappointment, noting that he once believed that Tinubu would bring the same technocratic and inclusive approach to national leadership that had determined his term in Lagos. Conversely, El-Rufai said, the President had gathered a team that “swelled and was performing bad” which, in his view, had no direction and capacity.

In the moment of openness, El-Rufai took part in part of what he described as a national situation that deteriorated under Tinubu’s leadership.

“I support him because I believe in his lagos heritage. He brought professionals such as Yemi Osinbajo and Wale Edun from the private sector. He appointed Igbos and Hausas in the key role, and he finished something. But now … this?” He asked, his voice was colored with regret.

Now 65 years old and reflects on retirement, El-Rufai said he could not sit still while the Nigerians bear the burden of the government that he helped bring to power.

“I feel like I owe the assignment to Nigeria to correct this mistake. I will do everything I can, with others, to reverse this track. If we leave this uncontrollable, Nigeria will be destroyed.”

El-Rufai also offers a rare insight about his tense relationship with President Tinubu, revealed that both of them were never politically close, even in the same party.

“I have never been close to Tinubu. At the party, I was ‘Buhari’s boy.’ Tinubu has his children, “he said, adding that his loyalty especially to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The person I connect is Baba Bisi Akande. I served as the Deputy Secretary of the National.”

Apart from their cool bond, El-Rufai said he put aside personal feelings during the 2023 general election, working diligently to give the Kaduna State to Tinubu from loyalty to the Congress of all Progressive (APC).

“When he won the ticket, I put aside my personal feelings and worked hard to send Kaduna to him. That was my job as a party man.”