Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu never intended for him to be part of his cabinet, despite his initial nomination.

Speaking on the issue, El-Rufai dismissed claims that his rejection by the National Assembly was due to a security report from the Department of State Services (DSS). Instead, he asserted that the decision stemmed from a change of heart by President Tinubu himself.

El-Rufai was among 48 ministerial nominees in 2023, but his appointment was blocked by the Senate, citing security concerns. However, he maintained that Tinubu played a key role in his exclusion rather than the National Assembly.

Additionally, El-Rufai accused National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu of leading a campaign to tarnish his reputation. He alleged that Ribadu is working alongside Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to discredit him.

According to El-Rufai, Ribadu’s actions are part of a broader strategy to eliminate potential political rivals from the North in anticipation of the 2031 presidential race. He also questioned Ribadu’s qualifications for the NSA position, arguing that he lacks the necessary expertise for the role.