Former Kaduna State Governor and ex-Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nasir El-Rufai, has offered a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly targeting the quality and structure of his ministerial cabinet. During a recent appearance on Arise News, El-Rufai expressed disappointment over what he described as a bloated team of ministers lacking the expertise needed to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
According to El-Rufai, the current administration has deviated significantly from the technocratic model Tinubu was known for during his time as Governor of Lagos State. “I had expected that President Tinubu would build a cabinet filled with proven professionals, like he did in Lagos, people who could drive reform and deliver results,” he said. Instead, he described the current lineup as lacking in both depth and competence, remarking that only a handful of ministers could be considered serious or effective.
He went further to compare the current team with the cabinets of past administrations, especially during the Obasanjo era, when ministers such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Obiageli Ezekwesili held office. In his view, the absence of similarly high-caliber individuals today is a disservice to the nation. “We had ministers then who were respected globally and driven by ideas. It’s hard to say the same about most people in this cabinet,” he added.
El-Rufai didn’t shy away from accepting partial responsibility for the situation, acknowledging that he supported Tinubu during the 2023 general elections. His decision, he said, was influenced by Tinubu’s past governance style and his record of attracting talent from diverse backgrounds. “I believed in the Lagos legacy. He brought in professionals, appointed people from various regions, and delivered results. That’s what I hoped we would get at the national level,” he noted.
However, El-Rufai now admits that this belief was misplaced. “We’re seeing something very different today. I feel a personal obligation to speak up because I was one of those who helped this administration come to power. Nigerians are hurting, and I can’t ignore that,” he said. He described the current direction as deeply troubling and warned that, unless corrected, the situation could further damage the country.
In the same interview, El-Rufai revealed that he never had a close personal relationship with Tinubu, despite being in the same political party. He aligned himself more closely with former President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he said shared his ideals. “I was more of a Buhari loyalist. Tinubu had his allies. I respected the party structure and did my part, including delivering votes in Kaduna, but there was never a personal bond,” he explained.
He also referenced his failed ministerial nomination in 2023, saying that although President Tinubu initially offered him the power portfolio, the Senate’s eventual refusal to confirm his appointment was orchestrated from within the presidency. “It wasn’t the Senate that blocked me; it came from the top,” he stated.
On the broader state of governance, El-Rufai alleged that appointments in the current administration were influenced by financial considerations, claiming that some ministerial positions were effectively sold. This, he said, has further eroded the credibility of the cabinet and disillusioned many who once had hope in the government’s reform agenda.
As he approaches retirement, El-Rufai said he feels compelled to work toward correcting what he now sees as a major political misstep. “Even if I’m stepping back from politics, I cannot keep silent. I owe it to the country to help reverse this trend,” he concluded.
