Former Kaduna State Governor and ex-FCT Minister, Nasir El-Rufai, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, describing it as lacking the quality and competence needed to tackle Nigeria’s growing challenges.
Speaking during a political programme aired on Arise News on Monday, El-Rufai expressed disappointment in the makeup of the current administration, saying it fell far short of the technocratic and inclusive model Tinubu once implemented as governor of Lagos State.
“Look at his cabinet—it’s a joke. It is the largest in Nigeria’s history, and maybe only five of them can be called real ministers,” El-Rufai declared.
“In my time as a minister 20 years ago, we had individuals of the calibre of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Oby Ezekwesili.
“Who do you see in this cabinet that fits that profile? There is simply no quality. We brought a tragedy upon Nigeria.”
El-Rufai admitted that he shares part of the blame for what he now considers a disappointing administration. He said his support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election was driven by faith in Tinubu’s record in Lagos—faith that has since been shattered.
“I supported him because I believed in his Lagos legacy. He was inclusive. He brought in professionals like Yemi Osinbajo and Wale Edun from the private sector. He appointed Igbos and Hausas in key roles, and he got things done. But now… this?”
“I feel like I owe Nigeria a duty to correct this mistake. I am 65 now, approaching retirement, but I cannot rest knowing that I helped bring in a government that is hurting Nigerians.
“I will do all I can, with others, to reverse this trajectory. If we leave this unchecked, Nigeria will be destroyed,” he added.
El-Rufai also revealed that, contrary to assumptions, he and Tinubu were never personally close despite being in the same political party.
“I was never close to Tinubu. In the party, I was a ‘Buhari boy.’ Tinubu had his boys.
“The person I connected with was Baba Bisi Akande. I served as his deputy national secretary.
“So Tinubu never liked me. But when he won the ticket, I set my personal feelings aside and worked hard to deliver Kaduna for him. That was my duty as a party man,” El-Rufai explained.
