President Bola Tinubu has extended his best wishes to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, on his 65th birthday. In a statement released on Sunday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised El-Rufai for his exceptional resourcefulness, intelligence, and political acumen.
Tinubu described El-Rufai as an accomplished administrator, scholar, and politician. He commended El-Rufai’s contributions to democracy, his dedicated service to the nation, and his role in mentoring younger leaders.
The President also highlighted El-Rufai’s influence in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his key role in the party’s electoral victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023.
El-Rufai’s political career includes his time as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (2003-2007). He served as Governor of Kaduna State for eight years, leaving a significant mark on the state’s development.
Although a former ally of President Tinubu, El-Rufai has become a vocal critic of the current administration. As a prominent member of the APC, he has been involved in a public dispute with Uba Sani, his successor as governor of Kaduna State, accusing Sani of seeking Tinubu’s favor.
In a recent statement, El-Rufai warned of a potential deterioration in Tinubu’s relationship with the North, predicting that the President might face challenges similar to former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2027 elections.
