- Former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai asserts he doesn’t pretend in politics, rejecting comparisons to “Nollywood actors” in governance
- El-Rufai criticizes the APC for straying from its core values, stating he no longer recognizes the party he helped establish
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has stated that he does not belong to the category of politicians who pretend.
He made this remark on Saturday while responding to an X user who praised his book, Accidental Public Servant.
The user expressed that after reading the book, they were convinced that no politician would want El-Rufai in their cabinet unless they genuinely intended to develop the country.
Reacting, El-Rufai thanked the user for their kind words, stating that he does not pretend and cannot be one of the politicians who act like “Nollywood actors” in government.
“Thanks for your kind words, @irahabib. Truly, I don’t know how to pretend. Being a Nollywood actor in governance is for some others, not some of us. Have a nice day. – @elrufai,” he wrote.
Recently, El-Rufai has been in the news for criticizing the All Progressives Congress (APC) for deviating from its core values.
Speaking at an event in Abuja, he expressed disappointment, saying, “I am a founding member of the APC, but I no longer recognize it. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. I don’t even know if it is a one-man show. It is a zero-man show.
“We wanted to build a progressive party to fight corruption, revive the economy, and restore security for Nigerians. But where is the APC now? It has left me behind. Political engagement should focus on fixing the economy, restoring security, and fighting corruption. But these issues remain unresolved,” he said.
In response, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, questioned whether El-Rufai would have maintained the same stance if he were in the cabinet.
“My senior brother, would you have held and expressed the same position if you were in government and the cabinet? History is replete with examples. You were part of forming this government, yet you now seek to unseat it,” Bwala remarked.
Replying via X, El-Rufai clarified that he had already informed Tinubu that he was not interested in any position in his administration.
“I was a cabinet minister 22 years ago and made it clear to Asiwaju that I was not interested in any position in his future government.
“The way all of you latter-day converts to the Tinubu government make an issue of something I never wanted in the first place reflects your moral flexibility.
“If I had remained in the Tinubu government, I would still speak up about the party’s failings—first privately, then publicly if no corrective action was taken. Go and check my public service record from 1998,” El-Rufai asserted.
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