Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has openly expressed regret over his support for President Bola Tinubu, acknowledging that despite being aware of Tinubu’s past controversies, he and others still backed his presidential bid. His remarks, made during an interview with BBC Hausa, come amid growing dissatisfaction with the current administration’s performance.
El-Rufai stated that he and his allies supported Tinubu with the hope that he would replicate the developmental strides he achieved in Lagos State during his tenure as governor. However, he now admits to feeling disappointed, as the administration has fallen short of expectations.
“We believed in this government and placed our confidence in it, expecting significant progress. We looked at Tinubu’s governance in Lagos and thought that, despite the challenges surrounding him, he could bring similar improvements to Nigeria,” El-Rufai stated in the interview published on Saturday.
Reflecting on past allegations, El-Rufai acknowledged that Tinubu’s history, including accusations related to a U.S. drug trafficking case and concerns over the authenticity of his academic credentials, was well known. However, they prioritized his political and governance experience over these issues.
“We were aware of his troubles in Chicago, but our focus was on the governance impact he made in Lagos. We believed that if he could implement the same strategies on a national level, Nigeria would experience significant development. Unfortunately, that has not happened,” he remarked.
Allegations linking Tinubu to narcotics resurfaced prominently in 2022 following his announcement to contest the presidency. Documents released by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois highlighted his previous encounters with U.S. authorities over allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering. The case resulted in a forfeiture of $460,000 to the U.S. government in 1993, reigniting debates about his credibility.
Additionally, Tinubu’s academic records became a point of controversy during the election period. His opponent, Atiku Abubakar, pursued legal action to compel Chicago State University (CSU) to release Tinubu’s academic credentials, alleging certificate forgery. This legal battle fueled intense public discourse, with many questioning the authenticity of the academic documents Tinubu presented.
El-Rufai’s revelations further align with concerns previously raised by investigative journalist David Hundeyin, who, before the 2023 elections, published a comprehensive exposé on Tinubu’s alleged ties to drug related offenses. Hundeyin’s report, which garnered widespread attention across media platforms, referenced legal documents and historical records suggesting that Tinubu had faced scrutiny from U.S. law enforcement. These claims resurfaced during the campaign period, intensifying opposition criticism. Despite the controversies, Tinubu ultimately secured victory in the election, though these allegations have continued to shadow his presidency.
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El-Rufai’s statements reflect a broader wave of dissatisfaction among key political figures who initially supported Tinubu’s presidency. As criticism mounts, there is increasing pressure on the administration to take decisive action and address the concerns raised by both political allies and the public. The coming months will determine whether Tinubu can steer his leadership towards fulfilling the expectations set during his campaign or if internal discontent will continue to grow.
