"Presidency Responds to El-Rufai's Outcry Over Ministerial Rejection, Urges Him to Move On"

The Nigerian presidency has responded to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following his public complaint about his failed ministerial nomination, advising him to "stop crying like a child whose bread was stolen" and to move forward.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, made this statement during an appearance on a television program. He expressed sympathy for El-Rufai but suggested that it was time for him to accept the situation and move on.

“It is natural to feel hurt and disappointed for being left out. However, there comes a point when one must stop behaving like a child crying over spilt milk,” Onanuga said. He acknowledged that El-Rufai had played a significant role in supporting President Tinubu’s campaign, but emphasized that his exclusion from the cabinet should not lead to further resentment.

El-Rufai had previously claimed in an interview that his ministerial rejection was not due to the National Assembly, as widely believed, but was instead a decision made by President Tinubu himself. He stated that, despite his crucial role in securing Tinubu’s election, he was deliberately sidelined, with the President having initially requested his service in the government.

The former governor also mentioned that negotiations had taken place over several months, after which he had attached certain conditions to his nomination. However, he speculated that either the President changed his mind or other factors led to his exclusion.

Despite his frustration, El-Rufai clarified that he held no personal animosity towards the Tinubu administration but raised concerns about the internal dynamics of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that unresolved issues within the party could deepen divisions.

The relationship between Tinubu and El-Rufai has been strained for months, with some suggesting that El-Rufai’s exclusion was due to security concerns raised by the National Assembly, while others believe he was politically sidelined after contributing significantly to Tinubu’s success. This ongoing tension has sparked speculation about El-Rufai’s future political direction, with rumors suggesting he may align with opposition forces in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.