Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state, has weighed in on Professor Farooq Kperogi’s recent criticism of alleged ethnic favouritism in President Bola Tinubu’s appointments.
In an article titled “Tinubu’s Buharisation of the NNPC,” Kperogi accused President Tinubu of appointing “Yoruba people” to significant positions at the NNPC.
He said an anonymous source claimed that a certain Bayo Ojulari is “being proposed as GMD after Mele Kyari’s term expires” in early 2024.
“I haven’t independently confirmed these claims,” Kperogi wrote, “but the proximity of the source to power circles makes it unwise to dismiss them outright.”
Tinubu repeating what Buhari did – Kperogi
Kperogi drew parallels between Tinubu’s alleged “Yorubacentric” appointments in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and the “Arewacentricity” he criticised during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
“Tinubu is doing in the economy what Buhari did in security,” Kperogi stated.
He added that the concentration of Yoruba figures in critical economic roles, including the minister of finance and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), represents “state-sanctioned ethnocentric domination of a critical segment of national life.”
Two wrongs do not make a right: Nasir El-Rufai reacts
Reacting to Kperogi’s article on X, El-Rufai said two wrongs do not make a right.
His words:
“Two wrongs do not make a right. Sensible inclusion always trumps arrogant exclusion!”
Kperogi’s allegations: NNPCL reacts
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the NNPCL debunked allegations of ethnic bias in its leadership structure, stating that employment decisions are based solely on merit.
In a statement made available to Legit.ng on Saturday, December 28, Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPC Ltd., addressed concerns raised in Kperogi’s article.
Soneye clarified that the NNPC’s leadership structure is guided by business requirements, expertise, and merit rather than ethnicity, tribe, religion, or political affiliation. He said the NNPCL prides itself on being a professional organisation with a diverse leadership lineup, including individuals from various parts of the world.
