President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has stated that former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai is nursing hurt feelings after being excluded from Tinubu’s ministerial appointments.
El-Rufai was initially nominated as a minister by Tinubu during the formation of his cabinet but was later screened out by the Senate. Since then, El-Rufai has become increasingly critical of the Tinubu administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a recent interview, El-Rufai claimed that it was not the Senate but President Tinubu himself who rejected his ministerial appointment.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Onanuga acknowledged that while El-Rufai played a significant role in Tinubu’s emergence as president, it is time for him to move past the disappointment of not being appointed as a minister.
“I will pity former Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. He feels hurt that he was not made a minister, but I think it’s time for him to move on,” Onanuga said. “You cannot continue to behave like a child, as if someone stole your bread, and keep crying over spilt milk.”
Onanuga admitted that it is natural for El-Rufai to feel aggrieved, given his efforts in supporting Tinubu’s election. However, he emphasized that the president has not overlooked El-Rufai’s contributions.
“It is natural for him to feel bad that he has been excluded. I think the president has acknowledged in a recent tribute to him that Nasir did a lot to help install President Tinubu. If he is not in the cabinet, it doesn’t mean he should bring down the roof,” Onanuga added.
The presidential adviser clarified that Tinubu holds no personal grudge against El-Rufai. However, he noted that the former governor has been actively criticizing the president, likely due to his hurt feelings.
Onanuga urged El-Rufai to let go of the disappointment, pointing out that he has been in public service since 1999. “It’s time for him to move on,” Onanuga concluded.
