Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has openly admitted to making poor choices in supporting presidential candidates in the past and has urged Nigerians to make independent decisions in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in a recent interview with Arise TV, El-Rufai acknowledged that his endorsements of former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu did not yield the positive outcomes he had hoped for.
He warned the public against relying on his judgment when choosing future leaders, saying Nigerians should critically assess candidates based on their own expectations and realities rather than political endorsements.
Reflecting on his past support for Tinubu, El-Rufai expressed disappointment, describing the current administration as the worst in Nigeria’s history.
He said his previous backing was based on the belief that Tinubu would perform better than his predecessor, but the outcome has since proved otherwise.
El-Rufai also addressed speculation that he harboured resentment over not being appointed a minister in the Tinubu administration.
He clarified that he never lobbied for a ministerial position and revealed that President Tinubu personally appealed to him to join the cabinet. According to him, this request forced him to suspend his PhD studies and other personal commitments.
However, he stated that he now considers the exclusion a blessing, as he would have otherwise been forced to defend the administration’s policies and performance, particularly on economic challenges and electricity issues. He emphasized that his decision not to serve was not borne out of disappointment but relief.
El-Rufai served as a minister over two decades ago under President Olusegun Obasanjo and said he saw no need to return to that role, especially in a situation that he described as chaotic and mismanaged.
