Former Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai criticizes President Bola Tinubu for alleged ethnic bias in federal appointments, likening it to former President Buhari's lopsided selections. Activists and critics call out el-Rufai’s perceived hypocrisy, citing his role in Tinubu’s rise. The debate highlights calls for equitable representation in Nigeria’s leadership.
Former Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai has called on President Bola Tinubu to end what he describes as "sectional politics" in federal appointments. El-Rufai made the remarks while responding to Nigerian-American writer Farooq Kperogi's allegations that Tinubu plans to replace the head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) with a Yoruba kinsman.
El-Rufai stated on his social media handle that “two wrongs do not make a right,” urging the President to prioritize inclusivity over exclusion. Tinubu has faced criticism for allegedly favoring individuals from his Yoruba ethnic group in key federal appointments, a move likened to former President Muhammadu Buhari's pattern of appointing predominantly northern Muslims during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.
Groups like the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) have condemned Tinubu’s perceived bias, calling it divisive and damaging to national unity. However, critics have accused el-Rufai of hypocrisy, noting his silence during Buhari’s tenure and his support for Tinubu's presidential campaign.
Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu criticized el-Rufai for his role in Tinubu’s rise to power, accusing him of complicity in the political dynamics he now condemns.
El-Rufai declined a ministerial appointment in 2023 after the Senate delayed his confirmation, citing his controversial handling of ethnic and sectarian clashes during his governorship.
