Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai has stirred up controversy with bold accusations against President Bola Tinubu, claiming that the president has been strategically placing his “boys” in key positions of power.
In a surprising twist, El-Rufai dismissed the widespread notion that Tinubu’s appointments are predominantly Southwest or Yoruba-centric. Instead, he argued that the Yoruba people should not bear the brunt of criticism for decisions that do not fully represent them.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on the 24th of February, 2025, the former governor made a striking comparison, drawing parallels between Tinubu’s choices and the historical blame Northerners faced under military regimes.
According to El-Rufai:
“President Tinubu’s appointments are embarrassing but like others that think that the appointment is towards the Southwest, no.”
In a passionate defense of the Yoruba people, he added:
“Please don’t blame the Southwest for what one individual is doing. As a Northerner and someone that lived half of his life under the military rule, we suffered that. Military will take power and the Head of State is a Northerner and when he messes up, every Northerner is blamed.”
He further distinguished between different elements within Yoruba society: “Yorubas are very honourable people but there is a difference in Yoruba land between an omoluabi who is the ideal Yoruba person with morals, characters and an area boy.”
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El-Rufai insisted that Tinubu’s selections were not based on ethnicity but on personal loyalty, stating: “Tinubu is appointing his own boys not because they are Yoruba but because they are his own boys. Most of the appointments did not reasonably cover the Southwest.”
Calling for immediate corrections, he warned of growing resentment in the North: “The appointments are not balanced but it’s not a Yoruba thing, please don’t punish the Yorubas as you have been punishing Northerners for the sins of the military.”
With mounting discontent, he urged the president to address these concerns before it’s too late.
“Tinubu needs to do something about that, it’s not too late – there is palpable anger in the North and all those tell him everything is fine can’t go to the North to say vote for APC or Tinubu today.”
El-Rufai’s remarks have sparked fresh debates over political favoritism, ethnic sentiments, and the growing dissatisfaction within the ruling party. Will Tinubu heed these warnings and make amends? Only time will tell.