Somto Bisina
Speculations have been swirling regarding the potential role of Malam Nasir El-Rufai in the incoming administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The governor of Kaduna State has now made it clear that he will not accept the position of FCT Minister, even if offered by the Tinubu administration.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelEl-Rufai played a pivotal role in Tinubu’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his subsequent electoral victory in February 2023.
As the outgoing governor of Kaduna State, El-Rufai strongly advocated for a power shift from the northern region to the southern region of Nigeria. This led to speculations that he might be appointed as Chief of Staff or FCT Minister in Tinubu’s government.
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However, El-Rufai, who previously served as the FCT Minister during Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, has distanced himself from these speculations. He emphasized that he has permanently left the FCT position and has no intention of returning to it.
Addressing the audience at a policy conversation and book launch event in Abuja on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, the governor firmly stated that he has moved on from the FCT role and has no desire to revisit it.
El-Rufai’s statement clarifies his position and puts an end to the rumors surrounding his potential appointment in Tinubu’s government.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen which roles will be assigned to key figures within the ruling party’s administration.
He said, “I have done my job, I’m done, I don’t look back. In fact when I left FCT, the only time I visited FCT was in 2016 when my secondary school classmate was appointed the minister and he said he wanted to see me, so I went there.
“Once I leave a job, I don’t look back. If I leave Kaduna in 19 days, I will only visit if it becomes necessary. So, I don’t think about the FCT. I’ve done my bit. I don’t comment on the performance of those that came after me.
“Even if offered, I’m not coming to Abuja. As I say, I never repeat class and there are many young people I know that I can recommend that would do even better job than I did as minister of FCT. He, therefore, advised that a young man or woman should be appointed for the role.
