In a clear signal that the ministerial ambition of former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai is yet to be laid to rest, the dethroned emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, last Thursday pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the resubmission of the name of the former governor to the Senate for ministerial confirmation.
A top source in the Presidency disclosed that the former emir profusely pleaded with the President to save el-Rufai from public shame and ridicule, following his rejection as minister by the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
According to the source who is privy to what transpired in the meeting, the former monarch reminded Tinubu to disregard the ploy by certain elements in the Presidency that are opposed to the confirmation of el-Rufai.
Sanusi pointedly accused the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, among others, of blocking the ministerial ambition of his friend on account of security reports and petitions.
The President, according to the source, expressed a surprise at a plea from the dethroned emir over el-Rufai who had told him (President) that he (el-Rufai) was no longer interested in the ministerial position.
“He is begging and pulling all strings to be reconsidered for ministerial confirmation as el-Rufai is exerting pressures on Sanusi to facilitate the resubmission of his name.
“The former governor can’t just imagine life outside the corridor of power; to show how dejected he felt after rejection by the Senate, he fled the country and even refused to attend his son’s wedding that took place in Kaduna, less than 24 hours after his ministerial dream went up in flames”, the source added.
Sanusi explained to Tinubu that the former governor’s insistence to be removed from further ministerial consideration was hinged on his frustration and public embarrassment he was subjected to after the Senate rejected his nomination on account of security reports and sundry allegations.
Last week’s meeting with Tinubu was a culmination of severe pressures mounted on him by the former governor who had become bored in Beirut where he had fled after the crash of his ministerial ambition.
Before Sanusi agreed to intervene, another source averred, the former emir cautioned the loquacious ex-governor and advised him to desist from making public comments on controversial issues so as to see if President Tinubu would assist in confirming his ministerial nomination.
“You made a mistake when you rejected the ministerial nomination and made it public that day.
You must keep quiet henceforth and allow me to talk to the president on the matter,” Sanusi was quoted to have told remorseful el-Rufai.
A top official of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who pleaded anonymity as he was not permitted to speak to the press, confirmed the meeting and gave further insight on the behind-the-scenes maneuverings to brush aside all obstacles for the confirmation of the former governor as minister. .
“When el-Rufai declared that he was not interested in the ministerial position after the Senate refused to confirm him, the former governor was only playing to the gallery. How could someone reject something that was not given to him? He fought so hard to get it, but in the end, he was rejected. El-Rufai never believed that he could be treated in such an awful and demeaning manner.
“As I speak with you, the submission of el-Rufai’s replacement for the ministerial slot has been delayed to pave the way for President Tinubu to resubmit his name. The former governor has not given up on his ministerial dream,” said the source.
The desperation by el-Rufai to realise his ministerial ambition may not be unconnected with the many questions raised over his administration’s handling of over 300 abandoned that was a subject of enquiry by his predecessor, Senator Uba Sani.
These projects were abandoned after whopping sums of money, amounting to billions of naira, were paid to contractors for execution.
According to another source conversant with the ploy to resubmit el-Rufai for ministerial consideration, “Kaduna State is broke now and may find it difficult to pay salaries.
“The recent increase in the monthly allocation from the Federal Government, following the removal of fuel subsidy, has assisted the state for now.
“In this year alone, the State is expected to pay N35 billion for loan repayment and servicing. Where will the state get money to pay salaries after el-Rufai pushed Kaduna State into a big bottomless pit of debt?.
“What may provide cover for the former for the governor is an appointment into the corridors of power. If he is not appointed as a minister, he may find it impossible to return to the country due to the financial predicament he has thrown Kaduna State into.”
Liberty Abuja
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