The Presidency has said that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is still hurt over his exclusion from President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial cabinet.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, urged El-Rufai to stop acting like “a child crying over spilled milk” and accept the decision.
His comments came in response to El-Rufai’s claims on Arise Television that President Tinubu personally rejected his ministerial appointment despite previously asking him to join the cabinet.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Onanuga said El-Rufai’s disappointment is understandable but advised him to move on.
“As a person, I think I will pity the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. He feels hurt that he was not made a minister. I think it is time for him to move on. He can’t continue to behave like a child, as if somebody stole his bread and he is crying,” Onanuga said.
He acknowledged El-Rufai’s contributions to Tinubu’s election victory but emphasized that the president holds no grudge against him.
“The president has no animosity against Nasir. He naturally feels hurt that he has been excluded, so he goes about campaigning against the president and would not let go,” he added.
During his television appearance, El-Rufai alleged that his ministerial nomination was not blocked by the National Assembly but by Tinubu himself. He claimed Tinubu had previously begged him to be part of his administration but later changed his mind.
Onanuga pointed out that El-Rufai had served in public office since 1999 and should now focus on other pursuits.
“He should forget about not being made a minister. He has been in public service since 1999; it’s time for him to move on,” Onanuga concluded.
The remarks from the Presidency signal a widening rift between Tinubu and El-Rufai, once considered one of his strongest allies during the 2023 presidential campaign.
