The former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said that while he does not regret supporting President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections, he is disappointed that the President did not keep to his word.
According to El-Rufai, President Tinubu betrayed him by not fulfilling the promise and agreement he had with him that made him join his campaign team.
In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, on Thursday, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftain said President Tinubu promised to make him Minister of Power if he wins.
He said that Tinubu had told him he wanted to be the president that would address Nigeria’s decade-long power issues.
He stressed that he never solicited any ministerial position from the President, rather It was the President that made the offer to him.
“That was what they always said. But the question is: Did I lobby to become a minister? I know those who paid money to become ministers.
“Perhaps if he (President Tinubu) privately made a promise to appoint me, he would have denied it. But he publicly begged me in Kaduna to come and work with him. Even at that, I did not accept his request until we sat privately to discuss the issue. He (Tinubu) said the power problem has become an issue to Nigeria’s development, and successive leaders have failed to solve the problem.
“He (Tinubu) sought my support to achieve his dream of becoming the president who solves the power problem. It was in the light of this challenge, I accepted to consider working with him. I thought he was serious,” Daily Nigerian quoted him.
Asked whether the President betrayed him, Mr El-Rufai replied, “no he betrayed himself“.
Asked if he regretted supporting the President since he did not keep to his promise, he responded, “Well, I can’t say I regretted, but I am disappointed“.
