Is El-Rufai’s glittering political career going in flames? By Kola Amzat

Since the turn of the 4th Republic in 1999, it’s an undisputable fact that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has been a dominant force in Nigerian politics.

During ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo regime, he was firmly in charge of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the then very powerful federal government Agency saddled with the responsibility of disposing all the unwanted federal government properties across the country.

Indeed, he got launched to national prominence through his exploits in the Agency.

He later became Federal Minister, Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Abuja under the same regime. The Kaduna state politician significantly deployed the influence of this portfolio to further strengthen his national status, taking many controversial decisions particularly concerning land allocations and demolition of high-valued properties in the choicest areas in the federal territory, purportedly to pave way for government developmental projects.

After curtains were drawn on PDP government which he served for eight (8) years, he rode on the popularity garnered from the government to get elected as governor of Kaduna state during the 2015 governorship election in that state under the platform of APC.    

El-Rufai, widely known as close confidant of ex-president, Muhammud Buhari wielded enormous power during the federal government APC administration between 2015 and 2023.

In-fact, it’s reported that Buhari often seek for his inputs, even as Kaduna state governor for some of the policy formulation and execution in the ex-president administration.    

Of course, this development catapulted him to become a rallying point in the North, particularly in the North West Geo-Political zone.

This therefore placed him in vantage and very privilege position to become one of the resounding voices in determining and choosing who was to succeed the ex-president Buhari.

He was indeed a powerbroker in the series of events leading to the 2022 APC October/November presidential primary election, a role he played with aplomb by canvassing and mobilizing supports of Nigerians at home and in Diaspora for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu before and during the 2023 presidential election.     

Nigerians vividly recall that it was El-Rufai that led the titanic battle of power shift, rallying his northern governor colleagues that power MUST move to the South.

Ultimately with his support and other major stakeholders across the country, Tinubu got elected as party’s presidential candidate in a one-sided APC presidential primary, and eventually got the mandate of Nigerian people during the general elections to lead the country as President, Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

As a reward for El-Rufai for valiant and spirited efforts pre, during and after elections, the president listed him for screening at the senate for a cabinet membership slot, only for his confirmation to be suspended by the senate following the unfavorable security report against him.

Twenty four (24) hours after his ugly experience at the senate, El-Rufai stormed the Presidential Villa, where he confirmed he was no longer interested in the plum job, suggesting instead, one of his political faithful to take his slot.

But, the president, discerning as ever, very experienced politician, imbued with unusual spirit of independent state of mind, declined El-Rufai request.

Meanwhile, the ex-Kaduna state governor also compounded his case by getting enmeshed in series of large scale financial infractions presently estimated to the tune of ₦487 billion during his eight (8) years reign as governor.

The humongous sums were several loans he contracted on behalf of the state which he deployed for the purpose they weren’t meant.

In the same vein, he was also alleged to have mismanaged greater proportion of the facility.

This ugly development has put Kaduna state treasury in a financial mess, so much that the state is finding it absolutely difficult in discharging basic obligations, which includes monthly salary for civil servants, repayment and even servicing the debt obligations, as well as payments for several contractors whose contracts execution are in different stages of completion.

This is the present situation that the diminutive, fiery and very controversial former DG, Bureau of Public Enterprises has subjected the state.  

The panel saddled with the responsibility of investigating the humongous financial infractions have completed and turned in a report of ‘guilt’ on the former governor.   

But, it’s instructive to note that no response whatsoever is forthcoming from him.

Is this an admission of guilt on his part?

Although the ex-governor has not been formally invited to respond to the damning allegations against him, however, the general opinion is that it’s most uncharacteristic of him to maintain this dangerous and undignified silence in the face of these loads of allegations, especially with so much at stake politically.  

For the avoidance of doubt, after the curtains might have been drawn on the expected two terms tenure of the President Tinubu and power perhaps shifts back to north, El-Rufai could be one of the best eleven and political gladiators the north may likely put in the frontline as flag bearer to lead the nation.

This is why the present situation he’s entangled is politically tragic and very unfortunate!

It’s instructive to note that, no case of external influence in the whole exercise has been reported, as the probe exercise was largely initiated and executed by the Kaduna state House of Assembly, the chamber which the ex-governor supposedly expected to have absolute influence, having directly or indirectly involved in the elections of some of the members.

It’s also interesting to observe that the incumbent governor, Senator Uba Sani, widely reported to be one of the closest aides of the ex-governor, have absolutely been helpless in halting the working of investigating panel, thereby altering the direction of the report turned in.

As the things have turned out, what’s the fate of El-Rufai? How would he wriggled out of this political quagmire which in all intents and purposes is likely to consume him? What damage control available to him to explore?

Of course, Nigerian people are waiting patiently on how the event would turn out in the weeks or months ahead.

There is also the possibility that EFCC is already laying ambush to eventually move to prosecute him.

Is there in place an opportunity for soft-landing by the presidency through plea-bargain? 

But, most importantly, it may not be the same for El-Rufai again. The aura, candor, political panache and swagger seem gone.

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.