The withdrawal of former governor Nasir El-Rufai from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet has caused the presidency to become unstable, Platinum Times Nigeria can now disclose with authority.
In spite of his unseemly silence since the news went viral, sources inside the villa claim President Tinubu is uneasy with the turn of events.
Earlier, word of El-Rufais’s withdrawal of interest filled the air across multiple media platforms.
Following the Senate’s decision to postpone El-Rufai’s candidacy until the myriad of security concerns brought up against him are handled, El-Rufai allegedly paid a visit to the President at the presidential palace on Tuesday after his return from the United Kingdom.
The president allegedly informed the former governor during the meeting that he had received several petitions opposing his ministerial nomination but would need up to 24 hours to evaluate them and the SSS report to the Senate before making a decision.
El-Rufai soon intervened, however, expressing his utter displeasure with the President and notifying him of his intention to withdraw as a candidate for the ministerial job. He was visibly furious.
The president was reportedly fervently urged by Mr. Ribadu and other aides to take into account the abundance of damaging petitions that had been submitted against Mr. El-Rufai from various parts of the nation. These petitions included accusations of inciting ethnic conflict in Kaduna and allegedly siphoning off public funds, among other things.
The former governor specifically blamed the president for allowing Mr. Ribadu and other overzealous security aides to withhold his security clearance and, as a result, allow rumors about his status to proliferate. Meanwhile, entreaties by concerned persons allegedly urging El-Rufai to seek a peaceful resolution with the NSA so he can reconsider any opposition against his nomination proved fruitless.
According to an article in the sources, President Tinubu is assembling a team of emissaries to try and persuade him to change his mind about the ministerial appointment because he feels uncomfortable with the way things are going with his small-time ally.
During the week, an Aso Rock official said of Mr. El-Rufai, “We know of his high level of competence, and the president would rather have him as an ally rather than even a cursory enemy.”
According to reports, Tinubu is concerned that the tumultuous situation in the Niger Republic will embolden northern political forces, who are already opposed to his decision to consider launching a coup de tat against the nation. This could lead to political unrest for Tinubu’s administration and the APC stronghold.
Remembering that Mr. El-Rufai had earlier this year endorsed Tinubu for president, an endorsement widely regarded as essential to the campaign’s success in the electorally lucrative northwest region, presidential aides advised the President to make sure he mends his friendship with the former governor out of fear of losing it.
According to sources, El-Rufai left Abuja for Egypt on Thursday night, however it was unknown when he would return or what his future plans were.