Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has turned down the offer to serve as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the incoming government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Despite playing a significant role in Tinubu’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his electoral victory in February 2023, El-Rufai has dissociated himself from rumors that he will either serve as Chief of Staff or FCT Minister in the new government.
Speaking at a policy conversation and book launch event in Abuja on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, the governor explained that he left the FCT job for good and has no interest in serving the country in that capacity again.
He stated that he never looks back once he leaves a job, and even if he were offered the role, he would decline it. Instead, he recommended that a young man or woman should be appointed for the role.
El-Rufai’s statement has put to rest speculations that he would be part of Tinubu’s government, as the outgoing governor of Kaduna State had been vocal about the need for a power shift from north to south.