Nasir el-Rufai has emphasized the importance of President Bola Tinubu discontinuing sectional politics.
He specifically referred to the lopsided appointments of kinsmen into key federal positions, reminiscent of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s era.
This statement came in response to Nigerian-American writer Farooq Kperogi’s recent opinion piece, which alleged that Mr. Tinubu intends to replace the head of NNPCL with another Yoruba kinsman.
In his X handle post on Saturday, the former Kaduna governor stated, “Two wrongs do not make a right.
Sensible inclusion always trumps arrogant exclusion.” This remark highlights the need for a more inclusive approach in governance.
Mr. Tinubu has faced criticism for allegedly stacking top federal positions with individuals from his Yoruba ethnic group, raising concerns about fairness and representation.
Critics have drawn parallels between Mr. Tinubu’s actions and Mr. Buhari’s administration, which predominantly appointed northern Muslims to high federal offices from 2015 to 2023.
Recently, organizations like the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) have condemned Mr. Tinubu for favoring the southwest in key appointments.
They accused the president of engaging in destructive sectionalism and promoting lopsidedness within his administration.
However, some critics point out that Mr. el-Rufai, a northerner, did not publicly condemn Mr. Buhari during his presidency.
Instead, he praised many of Buhari’s appointments as merited, devoid of ethnic or religious bias.
Mr. Tinubu’s supporters recently echoed this stance, justifying the overwhelming Yoruba presence in federal ministries and agencies.
As a result, this situation raises questions about their arguments’ consistency and the fairness of the appointments.
Consequently, it highlights concerns regarding the fairness of the appointments made and the consistency of their arguments.
Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu criticized Mr. el-Rufai for his comments, pointing out his significant role in Mr. Tinubu’s rise to the presidency.
Furthermore, she emphasized that his previous support for Tinubu contradicts his current stance on inclusivity in governance.
She stated, “Whatever Tinubu is doing today, he got the memo from Buhari and his supporters.”
This remark underscores her belief that Tinubu’s actions are influenced by past practices rather than a commitment to diversity.
Moreover, Ms. Yesufu accused Mr. el-Rufai of playing a key role in securing crucial votes for Tinubu’s 2023 election victory.
Despite her opposition to Tinubu’s administration, she highlights the implications of el-Rufai’s involvement in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that Mr. el-Rufai declined a ministerial position offered by Mr. Tinubu last year.
This decision followed a hold on his endorsement by the Akpabio-led Senate, which sparked speculation among his opponents.
Some critics attributed the hold to Mr. el-Rufai’s handling of ethnic and sectarian clashes during his two terms as governor.
Meanwhile, others raised concerns regarding his alleged corruption and perceived betrayal of political allies, questioning his integrity in leadership.