The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has added a fresh twist to the silence between him and the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
At a Webinar in commemoration of the 63rd birthday of the Minister of Interior and former Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, El-Rufai says Aregbesola remains his man anytime any day but that Tinubu is not his man.
According to Malam El-Rufai, this is due to the differences between him and Tinubu while he and Aregbesola have no differences.
The webinar which is tagged “Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Colloquium 2020” and is themed “Government Unusual: Innovative Economic Solutions to Unlock Mass Prosperity” was moderated by Boason Omofaye.
Before now, there have been reports of subtle disagreement between El-Rufai and Tinubu. Both of them are stalwart of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) and had been rumor to be nursing Presidential Ambition.
Although El-Rufai occasionally made comments about the seeming relationship between him and Tinubu, he has been conservative about it and Tinubu has never made any public statement concerning it.
In May 2016, the Bridge Club organized an event tagged “An evening with His Excellency Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State”. El-Rufai was believed to be referring to Tinubu when he explained how to end godfatherism in Lagos.
During the question and answer session, Muiz Banire, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a three-time commissioner in Lagos State asked El-Rufai on how godfatherism could be dealt with, given how it had served as one of the setbacks for professionals and businessmen who have interest in going into politics.
El-Rufai in his response said he defeated and retired four political godfathers in Kaduna State, adding that the feat could be achieved anywhere, including Lagos State. He noted that the key was to go back to the people directly. However, he added that it was a step that required time and hard work, noting “the key is to go to the people”.
At the webinar, El-Rufai eulogized Aregbesola and said he was not ashamed to state that he copied the school feeding initiative in his state from Osun State when he visited Aregbesola as governor. He added that enough is there for governors to learn from the way Aregbesola developed the state, despite the economic crisis that plunged the state into debts.
El-Rufai also congratulates Aregbesola when he said, “I want to congratulate my brother, Ogbeni (Aregbesola), on his birthday. You know I’m your man any day. I’m not Asiwaju’s man and you are Asiwaju’s man, but I am your man any day. Asiwaju and I have differences but you and I have no differences.”
In response, Aregbesola remarks that his achievements as governors were driven by his passion for people, a virtue he has imbibed from his teenage years. He added.
He also appreciates President Muhammadu Buhari for his encouragement, adding that, “the second person who has played a very huge role in making me a good public administrator is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He takes all the glory, apart from God.”
The webinar also sees the presence of other prominent Nigerians such as the governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu; Statistician-General, Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, Dr. Yemi Kale; the CEO, Financial Derivatives, Mr. Bismarck Rewane; the Chairman, Citibank Nigeria; Dr. Yemi Cardoso; the CEO, Lotus Capital Limited, Mrs. Hajara Adeola; and the Country Director, Development Alternatives Incorporated, Dr. Joe Abah.
- Anambra police nabs 16 cultists, declares 21 wanted - April 27, 2024
- Anambra 2025 Governorship Election Might Be an Open Contest - April 24, 2024
- Anambra Assembly Passes Bill To Prohibit Secret Cults - April 24, 2024
