El-Rufai’s Ministerial Snub Sparks Political Tension
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has weighed in on the ongoing rift between Tinubu and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. He believes El-Rufai is still hurt over losing a ministerial position in the Tinubu administration.
El-Rufai, in a recent interview on Arise TV, accused Tinubu of blocking his ministerial nomination despite initially inviting him to join the government. He dismissed claims that the National Assembly played a role, stating, “The president didn’t want me in his cabinet.”
Responding on Channels TV, Onanuga expressed sympathy for El-Rufai but urged him to move on. “He feels hurt that he was not made a minister… but you cannot behave like a child crying over spilt milk,” he said.
Onanuga acknowledged El-Rufai’s contributions to Tinubu’s election but dismissed the former governor’s criticisms of the administration, insisting that things are improving despite inherited challenges. He emphasized that Tinubu holds no grudges against El-Rufai, portraying his frustration as a reaction to being left out of the government.
El-Rufai’s recent remarks have fueled speculation about deeper divisions within the ruling party, as political tensions continue to rise.
