El-Rufai: an infantile mind, blind to political realities, by Kola Amzat

Through the sheer grace of providence, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has been for long, stupendously prosperous in Nigeria political plain. At a relatively younger age, PDP democratically elected government led by Olusegun Obasanjo, a retired army general handed him the plum job of Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

The same government totally thrusted him into national limelight by ensuring his ascendance as Federal Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It’s on record that his tenure in the two powerful offices he occupied during the PDP reign that spanned 16 inglorious years was never salutary, as he caused incalculable damages on the nation psyche and Treasury, particularly, during his reign as DG, Bureau of Public Enterprises when he colluded with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to rip off Nigeria, trillions of Naira that could have accrued to her through the disposal of several high-octane and national monuments which Turaki Adamawa cornered, through acquisition at a very ridiculous prices.

Despite the atrocities above, El-Rufai was again three times lucky even against all odds, as the recently deceased former president, Muhammud Buhari practically ensured that he contested and emerged as governor of Kaduna state during the 2015 general elections.

So, technically, it could be inferred that the diminutive Quantity Surveyor graduate of Kaduna state descent, has really never fought for anything.

It could also be assumed that he has also not really acquaint himself with the nation political dynamics and intricacies, despite his years of sojourning in the nation political sphere, even, at the highest level, to properly acknowledge those politicians that have momentum, as well as those who are just noise makers and attention seekers.

His recent comments on the chances of President Tinubu in the forthcoming 2027 general elections, could be situated in the prism of someone totally bereft of political ideas, as well as completely oblivious of political developments happening, even around him.  

El-Rufai submissions during the recent Channels TV interview session, that Tinubu had no path way to win in the forthcoming 2027 general elections and might not even secure a first ballot victory was preposterous, mischievous, parochial, self-serving, completely flawed, as it was a product of infantile and very frustrated mind.

The former Kaduna state governor opined that the 2027 presidential election could go into run-off, but that President Bola Tinubu won’t be on the ballot for the run-off.  

The errant terrible could have gone ahead to provide the names that his ‘crystal ball’ might have suggested to him, that would claim first and second positions.   

Except the Kaduna born political gadfly could avail Nigerians of other unorthodox justifications other than the updates and developments presently available to Nigerians in the political realm, then his submissions are just garbage, only meant for the dustbin of history.

It’s also important to submit that the generality of Nigerians ought to have been conversant with El-Rufai antics over decades, particularly his avowed desire to always hug publicity, even, at any slight opportunities.

This is the same El-Rufai that the Kaduna electorates treated like an Orphan during the recently conducted by-elections, where Governor Uba Sani and his team practically naked him politically, treating him as if he wasn’t the immediate past governor of the state, even with the spirited efforts he deployed to hoodwink Kaduna electorates during the campaigns.

His colleagues in ADC couldn’t fare better during the by-elections in their various states.

Rotimi Amaechi was nowhere to be found even, in his ward in Rivers state to cast his vote.

Wike Nyesom, the FCT Minister was imperious during Rivers bye-elections, as usual.

The hitherto dominance of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in Adamawa state was a subject of scorn and embarrassment, as APC candidate triumphed during the by-elections in the state.

Peter Obi was an embarrassment of a sort, as he wasn’t in the vicinity of Anambra state during the election to cast his vote. This is a spectacle of someone aspiring to lead the country.

This is why I intend to join Nigerians of rich and discerning minds, asking that pertinent question: who are the first and second likely presidential aspirants, in the list of El-Rufai who he’s routing for, to qualify for the run-off elections?

If all the aforementioned political figures couldn’t prove their mettle during just a scatter of elections, Nigerians wouldn’t comprehend how they would come to terms with the challenges to be posed by the general elections?

For emphasis, in the last couple of decades, no presidential aspirant has ever emerged as president without impressive performance at the polls in Lagos, Kano and Rivers states. Presently, Tinubu ticks all the boxes.

Tinubu, as the son of the soil commands a cult hero status in the South West zone. Of all the likely presidential aspirants in opposition parties, no one comes closer.

In the South East, virtually all the governors, even including the highly cerebral Charles Soludo and Alex Otti of Anambra and Abia states respectively, have pledged their maximum support for Tinubu’s second term in office comes 2027. This commitment is irrespective of party affiliations.

It’s already assured that Nigerian people are poised to witness a paradigm shift in the pattern of Igbo votes during the forthcoming general elections.

Even, if uncertainty presently surrounding Peter Obi contesting for the topmost office in the country ceases, and he eventually bid for the topmost office, he would struggle to record 25% votes mandatorily specified for a candidate by constitution in the zone.

Meanwhile, it’s simply an understatement to submit that Tinubu will record bloc votes in the entire South South geo-political zone. Indeed, the president may garner the highest votes ever recorded by any presidential candidate in Nigerian democratic history in the zone.

This optimism is anchored on the political juggernauts and veterans in the Niger Delta Region that have pitched their tents with APC. This includes the indefatigable Godswill Akpabio, Imperious Nyesom Wike, James Ibori, Ifeanyi Okowa, Sheriff Oborevwori, Umo Uno, Adams Oshiomole, Bassey Otu etc. Is anyone still doubting the imperial status of President Tinubu and APC in Niger Delta Region and their chances to sweep the polls? 

The expected trend of victory would also extend to North Central geo-political zone of Kwara, Niger, Kogi, Nassarawa, Plateau, and Benue where all governors including that of Plateau, a PDP governor, are all assiduously and relentlessly unanimous, working in concert for Tinubu second term in office.

The governors and people of the North Central zone, having been substantially integrated into the APC, as well as into the mainstream politics at the centre, have all pledged their unalloyed loyalty and support for the president’s second term in office.

The development in the North East zone may not be significantly different to positive projections in the aforementioned four geo-political zones.

Except for Bauchi where PDP may attempt to compete and contend with the ruling part, the zone comprising Bornu, the home state of Vice President, Yobe, Gombe, Taraba and even, Adamawa, the home state of Atiku Abubakar are presently routing for APC and Tinubu second term in office.

The above situation may not likely change as the nation moves closer to the forthcoming general election, which is projected to be acrimonious and tempestuous.

Then the main battle ground –the North West zone with its incredible and tantalizing spectacle!

In this zone, comprising seven (7) states, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Katsina presently belong to APC, as people of the states are routing for Tinubu and APC controlled Federal Government. APC could cart away 55-60% of the votes cast in Kano state. Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau also has cult-status in Kano. Immediate past governor of the state, as well as immediate past National Chairman of APC, Alhaji Umar Ghanduje popularity remains for a very long time to come. Abdulmumini, the veteran House of Representatives member is there, with awesome popularity and tremendous reach in the state.

With Minister of State for Defence and a former governor, Bello Matawale, as well as former governor of the state, Abdulaziz Yari, and other political icons, all collaborating together to command incredible support of the people in Zamfara state, there is no way APC and President Tinubu would not come top, above all other contestant in the state.

Sokoto state also presents a fertile land for the president and APC to record victory, more so, with the likes of former governors Wammako, Attahiru Baffarawa still holding sway, and more importantly, that the state is presently in the firm grip of APC.

This writer has deliberately and painstakingly engage in the above analysis to expose political hollowness of El-Rufai and debunk his lies & submissions that were not only baseless, infantile, but indeed, a devilish and mischievous attempt aimed at deceiving and confusing generality of Nigerians, who surely expected very objective and unbiased analysis from him, at least by virtue of very visible and important offices he’s occupied to in the past.

The likes of El-Rufai allows frustration, political rejection and jealousy to cloud their sense of reasoning, by attempting to dish out blatant lies to good people of Nigeria, without due regards to its consequences.

It’s high time therefore for Nigerians to start being wary of any information that emanates from El-Rufai and his ilk, for they are destructive, divisive and self-serving.  

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.