A video circulating widely on social media platforms, including X, has reignited controversy over the exclusion of Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, from President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Executive Council in August 2023. The video, reportedly from the Nigerian Senate’s ministerial screening on August 1, 2023, captures a heated moment when a petition against El-Rufai was raised during his nomination hearing. Social media users on X have amplified claims asserting that President Tinubu personally disqualified El-Rufai, with some suggesting political motives or direct executive action. Others argue the Senate was responsible, pointing to the petition and security concerns.
The saga began on July 27, 2023, when President Tinubu submitted a list of 48 ministerial nominees to the Nigerian Senate for screening and confirmation, as mandated by Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. El-Rufai, a polarizing yet influential figure known for his transformative tenure as FCT Minister (2003–2007) and Kaduna Governor (2015–2023), was among them. He was speculated to be a frontrunner for a key portfolio, possibly the power sector, due to his reputation for bold reforms.
However, his nomination became contentious. On August 1, 2023, during the Senate’s ministerial screening, Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West, All Progressives Congress) presented a petition against El-Rufai, describing it as “very strong” and citing allegations about his impact on “security, unity, and cohesiveness of the Nigerian nation.” Reports from Premium Times and Channels Television confirm the petition was submitted in a sealed envelope to Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau during the plenary. It focused on El-Rufai’s governance in Kaduna, particularly his handling of ethno-religious violence in Southern Kaduna, where communal clashes between 2015 and 2023 caused hundreds of deaths. Groups like the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union and the Christian Association of Nigeria had accused him of bias favoring certain ethnic or religious groups, notably Muslims.
The petition sparked a rowdy Senate debate. Several senators, including Khalid Mustapha (Kaduna South) and Sani Musa (Niger East), defended El-Rufai, praising his track record and urging the Senate to grant him the courtesy of “taking a bow and going,” a practice extended to nominees like Nyesom Wike and Dave Umahi. Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervened, ruling that the plenary was not the forum for debating petitions, which should be handled by the Presidency or security agencies. El-Rufai was allowed to briefly address his qualifications and vision for the power sector but was stopped from responding to the petition’s allegations. Channels Television’s live broadcast on August 1, 2023, aligns with the viral video’s depiction of a “disturbing petition” and the presiding officers’ reluctance to let him respond fully.
The Senate deferred further action. On August 8, 2023, after a closed-door “committee of the whole” session, the Senate confirmed 45 of the 48 nominees, withholding approval for El-Rufai, Stella Okotete (Delta), and Danladi Abubakar (Taraba) pending “further security clearance.” Reports from Leadership Newspaper and The Punch (August 9–10, 2023) revealed that a State Security Service (DSS) report flagged El-Rufai as a potential risk to national security and unity, echoing the petition’s concerns about his Kaduna tenure, including insecurity in Southern Kaduna and controversial statements risking ethno-religious tensions.
The Senate’s non-confirmation effectively disqualified El-Rufai, as ministerial nominees require Senate approval. The closed-door deliberation corresponds to the video’s reference to a “more private session” where the Senate, citing “weighty issues,” excused him.
Claims that Tinubu personally disqualified El-Rufai require scrutiny. Under Nigerian law, the President nominates ministers, but the Senate confirms or rejects them. Tinubu’s nomination of El-Rufai on July 27, 2023, indicates initial intent to include him. After the Senate’s August 8 decision, Tinubu did not renominate El-Rufai or challenge the Senate. Premium Times and ThisDay (August 10–11, 2023) reported a meeting between El-Rufai and Tinubu around August 8–9 at the Presidential Villa, where El-Rufai, aware of the Senate’s hold and DSS report, withdrew his interest, citing personal reasons like pursuing a PhD in the Netherlands. He recommended Jafaru Ibrahim Sani, a former Kaduna commissioner, as a replacement. Tinubu later nominated Abbas Balarabe Lawal, confirmed on October 4, 2023, for Kaduna’s slot.
No evidence suggests Tinubu actively disqualified El-Rufai. The Senate’s decision, driven by the petition and DSS report, was the decisive barrier. However,
The Nation (August 12, 2023) noted internal All Progressives Congress pressures influencing Tinubu’s passive acceptance. Figures like Vice President Kashim Shettima, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila reportedly viewed El-Rufai as a potential 2027 or 2031 rival. Power sector stakeholders also allegedly lobbied against him due to his subsidy reform stance.
