‘You suffer from small man syndrome’: Onanuga drags El-Rufai in a brutal clapback

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has responded strongly to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s recent comments about the Tinubu administration.

El-Rufai, speaking in an interview with Arise Television, said President Tinubu would need a “miracle” to secure re-election in 2027.

According to him, a poll conducted by his political group showed a 91 percent disapproval rating for Tinubu in the North and South-East, and 78 percent disapproval in Lagos.

Onanuga reacted in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

He quoted former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 2014 memoir My Watch, where Obasanjo described El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”

Onanuga accused El-Rufai of being disloyal and self-serving.

He wrote that El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by tearing others down.

“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” he quoted from Obasanjo’s memoir.

Obasanjo’s remarks in the book included serious allegations.

He accused El-Rufai of betraying friends, colleagues, and even family members.

Onanuga reinforced this point, suggesting that El-Rufai’s disloyalty has long been known to those who worked closely with him.

El-Rufai served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under President Obasanjo between 2003 and 2007.

Once a strong figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai resigned from the party in March 2025.

He joined the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he is reportedly working to form a coalition to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

The back-and-forth between El-Rufai and Onanuga signals growing cracks within Nigeria’s political elite.

Many analysts believe that the 2027 presidential race is already taking shape, with internal party disagreements turning into public clashes.

El-Rufai’s sharp criticism and Onanuga’s blistering reply reflect the high stakes ahead.

As political camps realign, more such confrontations are expected.

This public feud may just be the beginning of a long political battle leading up to 2027.

Nigerians are watching closely.

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