Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has explained that his disagreements with President Bola Tinubu stem from differing governance philosophies rather than personal hostility.
In an interview with Trust TV on Monday, El-Rufai also dismissed claims of a close personal relationship with Tinubu, noting that they were never friends.
“I was never Tinubu’s friend. We never had a personal relationship like the one I had with General Buhari of blessed memory,” he said. The former governor explained that his initial support for Tinubu’s presidential bid was driven by political and regional considerations, not personal ties.
“I was approached by certain Islamic stakeholders from the South-West to support the emergence of a South-West Muslim presidential candidate,” he said. “As governor of Kaduna and one of the founders of APC, I knew there was an understanding that after eight years of Buhari, power would return to the South.
It wasn’t about Tinubu; he was merely an accidental beneficiary.” El-Rufai added that once Tinubu clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket, he supported him out of party loyalty. “It is a principle of mine to fight for the candidate of my party in every election, whether I like the candidate or not.
The fact that he emerged as the party’s candidate meant I would give everything to ensure he won,” he stated. However, El-Rufai said his differences with the Tinubu administration stemmed from what he described as a clash of governance philosophies.
“We didn’t fall out; we just didn’t find areas of agreement. I am in government to serve the public and deliver results, not to enrich myself or appoint cronies,” he said. “The philosophy of this government is contrary to everything I’ve been taught as a Muslim, a northerner, and a Nigerian. They came to govern the cake, to enrich themselves. We are different people, parallel lines that will never meet.”
He further disclosed that his decision to reject a ministerial appointment from President Tinubu was based on the same principles. “If I had accepted the ministerial position that was publicly offered to me, I would have resigned shortly after. Our fundamental philosophies of governance are worlds apart,” El-Rufai said.