Former President Olusegun Obasanjo Reveals Why He Rejected Nasir El-Rufai as His Successor

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo Reveals Why He Rejected Nasir El-Rufai as His Successor

In a recent revelation, former President Olusegun Obasanjo disclosed that he had rejected a proposal to make Nasir El-Rufai, the former Kaduna State governor, his successor in 2007. According to Obasanjo, El-Rufai was deemed too immature for the role at the time.

Obasanjo shared this story during the Ajibosin Platform annual symposium in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He recounted a conversation with former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, who had recommended El-Rufai as a potential successor. Obasanjo explained that he didn’t yield to the pressure, citing concerns about El-Rufai’s maturity.

Interestingly, Obasanjo revealed that Chidoka later returned to acknowledge that the former president had made the right decision. After witnessing El-Rufai’s performance as governor, Chidoka reportedly said, “You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.”

This story highlights the importance of leadership experience and maturity. Obasanjo’s decision not to anoint El-Rufai as his successor ultimately allowed the younger politician to grow and develop his leadership skills. Today, El-Rufai is a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, and his journey serves as a testament to the value of patience, hard work, and dedication to public service .