Politics

I Was Never Tinubu’s Friend, Says El-Rufai

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai says he never had a personal relationship with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that his 2023 election support was based on party loyalty and political considerations.

By Oyetoke Adedayo Ebenezer

1 min read 10 views Updated Oct 21, 2026
Former Kaduna State Governor and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed claims that he fell out personally with President Bola Tinubu, stating that he never had a personal relationship with the President.

El-Rufai made the clarification during an interview newsmen, stating that, his support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election was based on party loyalty and political considerations, not friendship.

He explained that his involvement in Tinubu’s emergence followed consultations within the All Progressives Congress, as well as discussions with political stakeholders ahead of the election, adding that disagreements emerged after the election due to differences in governance philosophy and approach to public service.

The former Minister stated that while he believes in governance focused on service delivery and accountability, the governing style of the current administration does not align with his personal values.

El-Rufai further revealed that these differences informed his decision to decline a ministerial appointment offered by President Tinubu, noting that accepting such a role would have been incompatible with his principles.

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Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai says he never had a personal relationship with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that his 2023 election support was based on party loyalty and political considerations. Former Kaduna State Governor and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed claims that he fell out personally with President Bola Tinubu, stating...

Key takeaways
  • Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai says he never had a personal relationship with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that his 2023 election support was based on party loyalty and political considerations.
  • Former Kaduna State Governor and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed claims that he fell out personally with President Bola Tinubu, stating that he never had a personal relationship with the President.El-Rufai made the clarification during an interview newsmen, stating that, his support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election was based on party loyalty and political considerations, not friendship.He explained that his involvement in Tinubu’s emergence followed consultations within the All Progressives Congress, as well as discussions with political stakeholders ahead of the election, adding that disagreements emerged after the election due to differences in governance philosophy and approach to public service.The former Minister stated that while he believes in governance focused on service delivery and accountability, the governing style of the current administration does not align with his personal values.El-Rufai further revealed that these differences informed his decision to decline a ministerial appointment offered by President Tinubu, noting that accepting such a role would have been incompatible with his principles.
  • This story is filed under Politics on Glow 99.1 FM.
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What is this story about?

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai says he never had a personal relationship with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that his 2023 election support was based on party loyalty and political considerations. Former Kaduna State Governor and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed claims that he fell out personally with President Bola Tinubu, stating...

Who published this story?

Glow 99.1 FM published this story with Oyetoke Adedayo Ebenezer listed as author.

When was it published?

February 10, 2026

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