Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has stated on Friday that he rejected the move to name Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, as his successor in 2027 due to his immaturity.
Obasanjo revealed this in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the Ajibosin Platform’s second annual symposium, which had the topic “Importance of Leadership in Governance.”
He disclosed that El-Rufai had been suggested as his successor by former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, but he had declined.
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El-Rufai held the positions of Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the Obasanjo government from 2003 to 2007.
Recall that Obasanjo supported the late President Umar Yar’Adua as his successor when he was leaving office in 2007.
The event’s keynote speaker, Chidoka, recalled how, at the age of 34, El-Rufai suggested him to Obasanjo, a move that ultimately led to his appointment as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps and pushed him closer to the presidency.
Speaking to the assembly, Obasanjo lightly made fun of Chidoka for leaving out the El-Rufai tale.
“Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said.
The former president added, “I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person, why didn’t you agree?’ I said El-Rufai needed to mature. You remember? When I left the government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”
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However, the former president commended Chidoka, El-Rufai, and others for their “special attributes,” which he claimed were what propelled his administration.
Speaking further on the subject of leadership, the former president highlighted the significance of training, experience, exposure, and character as the characteristics of effective leadership.
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