Says former FCT Minister needed time to “mature politically” before leading the nation
In a candid revelation that rekindles memories of Nigeria’s political intrigues in the post-2007 transition era, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed why he turned down a proposal to support Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State, as his successor.
Speaking on Friday during the second edition of the Ajibosin Platform Annual Symposium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo said he considered El-Rufai “brilliant and promising” but “not yet mature enough” to handle the complexities of governing a nation like Nigeria.
El-Rufai, a key figure in Obasanjo’s administration from 1999 to 2007, served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) before becoming Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) — roles that positioned him among the most influential reformers of that era.
During the symposium, former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, who delivered the keynote address, recounted how El-Rufai introduced him to Obasanjo at age 34 — an encounter that paved the way for his appointment as Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
But Obasanjo, interrupting Chidoka’s presentation, playfully reminded him of a key moment left out of his story.
> “Let him tell you,” Obasanjo said, drawing laughter from the audience. “He didn’t mention that he was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor.”
Turning to Chidoka, the former president teased:
> “No be so?” — to which Chidoka nodded in agreement.
Obasanjo explained that while he admired El-Rufai’s intellect and energy, he felt the then–young technocrat needed time to mature politically and personally.
> “I did not yield to the pressure,” Obasanjo said. “Later, when he asked why, I told him El-Rufai needs to mature. Years later, he came back to me and said, ‘You were absolutely correct — El-Rufai needed to mature.’”
The former president, however, praised both El-Rufai and Chidoka, describing them as “men with exceptional abilities” who contributed immensely to the success of his administration.
Obasanjo used the occasion to reflect on the crisis of leadership in Nigeria, lamenting the lack of structured training for political leaders compared to other professions.
> “It’s only in politics that I found there is no training for leadership,” he said. “Even among armed robbers, I was told there is apprenticeship. But in politics, there is none. That’s not good enough.”
Delivering his keynote, Chidoka emphasized that Nigeria’s problem is not the absence of ideas but the failure to institutionalize governance systems that sustain progress beyond individuals.
> “Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind,” he said. “Moral conviction must translate into governance mechanisms that make competence predictable and corruption difficult.”
He called for the creation of national dashboards and accountability systems that track government promises and outcomes.
> “We must make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results. Measure every promise, every budget, every outcome. Build systems that expose complacency and reward performance,” Chidoka added.
Editor’s Note:
In a political landscape where mentorship and succession often intertwine with power struggles, Obasanjo’s candid admission sheds light on one of Nigeria’s most talked-about political relationships — and on how one man’s caution may have reshaped the nation’s leadership trajectory.
PIONEER NEWS 