The Presidency has advised Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai to move past his disappointment of losing out in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet as minister.
Speaking during a National Television interview on Tuesday, the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga said he was sympathetic with Mr El-Rufai, suggesting his recent public statements stem from personal hurt rather than a broader political position.
“As a person, I will only pity the former governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, He feels hurt that he was not made a minister.
“I think it’s time for him to move on. He cannot continue to behave like a child, as if somebody stole your bread and you are crying over spilt milk.
“It’s natural for him to feel hurt, it is natural for him to feel bad that he has been excluded. As the president acknowledged in a recent birthday tribute to him, Nasir helped install President Tinubu. That he’s not there doesn’t mean he should bring down the roof,” he said.
Mr Onanuga’s response is sequel to the former governor, El-Rufai’s public criticism of President Tinubu’s administration, its economic policies and party leadership, a development that has caused diverse reactions from the polity.
Recall that El-Rufai after being nominated by the Federal Government to serve as Minister was dropped at the screening stage by the National Assembly over some security issues.
Governor El-Rufai had stated during a television interview that the security concerns were unfounded.
“What was the security issue? I have been the governor of one of the difficult states. I was a minister 20 years ago.
“The president publicly appealed to me to put my plans on hold, and through two months of negotiations, we finally agreed that he would nominate me as minister, and there were certain conditions I attached to that.
“I think along the line, either the president changed his mind or something else. Please don’t believe the story that the National Assembly rejected me. The National Assembly had nothing to do with this, the president didn’t want me in his cabinet, he changed his mind. Whatever it is, I don’t care, and I’ve moved on,’’ he stated.
Mr El-Rufai expressed uncertainty about his future with the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he is unsure if he would still be a party member by 2027.
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