In a recent series of tweets, former Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has come to the defense of Nasir El Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, amidst criticisms over his comments about the Muslim/Muslim ticket. Fani-Kayode expressed his disappointment at the demonization of El Rufai, emphasizing that his remarks do not make him a religious bigot, terrorist, fascist, or Islamist fanatic.
Highlighting his personal relationship with El Rufai, Fani-Kayode recalled their collaboration during their time in President Olusegun Obasanjo’s cabinet and their joint efforts in the presidential campaign for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He described El Rufai as a practical and pragmatic politician who fearlessly speaks his mind, possesses a deep understanding of power dynamics, and is determined to win.
Fani-Kayode attributed the criticism towards El Rufai to envy and resentment, asserting that the governor’s intelligence and strategic prowess have repeatedly outshone his adversaries. He went on to credit El Rufai, alongside Bello Matawalle and the Northern Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for their role in the power shift to the south and preventing the victory of Atiku Abubakar over Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the presidential election.
Furthermore, Fani-Kayode highlighted the governor’s contribution in thwarting the alleged influence of the “cabal” in the Presidential Villa, which sought to impede Tinubu’s electoral success. He mentioned the loss of Matawalle’s seat as Governor of Zamfara as a consequence of his alliance with El Rufai and the perceived threat they posed to the established power dynamics.
In conclusion, Fani-Kayode urged critics to reconsider their perspective on El Rufai, emphasizing his admiration and respect for the governor despite their differences. While acknowledging that he may not agree with everything El Rufai says or does, Fani-Kayode hailed him as a great fighter and praised his political acumen.
The tweets by Femi Fani-Kayode have sparked conversations and debate regarding Nasir El Rufai’s reputation, political achievements, and the significance of his contributions to power dynamics in Nigeria.
