Olusegun Obasanjo (left) and Nasir el-Rufai
Source: Africa Publicity
Ex-Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has revealed why he declined a proposal to endorse former Kaduna Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, to be his successor back in 2007.
According to Obasanjo, he felt Nasir el-Rufai needed time to mature.
El-Rufai was the Director-General (DG) of Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). He later served as minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 2003 and 2007 when Obasanjo was the President of Nigeria.
However, while preparing to leave office at the end of his second term, Obasanjo supported the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his successor. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua went on to win the Presidential election.
Speaking on Friday during the second annual symposium of the Ajibosin Platform in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance”, Obasanjo recounted Osita Chidoka, former minister of aviation, had recommended el-Rufai to succeed him.
Mr. Obasanjo said he rejected Osita’s recommendation because el-Rufai needed more time to mature.
