Why I didn’t choose El-Rufai to succeed me as president — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that he declined a proposal to endorse former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor at the end of his administration in 2007.

Obasanjo made this known on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the Ajibosin Platform symposium themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance.” He said the suggestion was made by former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, who served in his administration.

He recalled that El-Rufai, then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former head of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, was strongly recommended by Chidoka as a potential successor.

“Let him tell you,” Obasanjo said, pointing at Chidoka among the panelists. “He didn’t mention that he was the one pushing for his friend, El-Rufai, to be brought in as my successor.” Chidoka, according to him, nodded in agreement.

The former president explained that he rejected the idea because he believed El-Rufai was not yet ready for such responsibility. “I did not yield to the pressure,” he said. “Later, he asked why, and I told him El-Rufai needed to mature. Many years later, he came back to say I was absolutely correct.”

Obasanjo commended both men and other members of his former cabinet for their intellect and commitment, describing them as the “driving forces” of his administration.

He also decried the absence of leadership training in politics, saying, “It’s only in politics that there’s no training for leadership. Even among armed robbers, there’s apprenticeship. But in politics, there’s none—and that’s not good enough.”

In his remarks, Chidoka blamed Nigeria’s governance challenges on what he called “the politics of excuses,” stressing that true leadership should be measured by systems and results, not charisma. The symposium convener, Aare Olanrewaju Bakinson, said the event sought to promote visionary and ethical leadership for national development.