Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has reiterated his no-nonsense approach to governance, stating that he doesn’t belong to the class of politicians who engage in pretentious behavior.
Comparing such public officeholders to Nollywood actors, El-Rufai made the remark in response to a social media post that praised his straightforward style.
This comes shortly after the former governor, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), affirmed that if he were still part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, his critical stance on governance would remain the same.
On Friday, an X user, Ira Habib, shared his admiration for El-Rufai, saying that reading the ex-governor’s book Accidental Public Servant revealed his genuine character.
“The day I read El-Rufai’s book Accidental Public Servant, I concluded that no politician would want #ElRufai in their cabinet unless they genuinely intend to develop this country. He doesn’t know how to pretend,” the user tweeted.
Acknowledging the praise, El-Rufai responded: “Truly, I don’t know how to pretend. Being a Nollywood actor in governance is for some others, not some of us.”
In another tweet, he quoted former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, saying, “In opposition, it matters what you say. In government, it matters what you do. And saying is a lot easier than doing.”
El-Rufai has been vocal about issues within the APC, recently criticizing the party’s lack of internal democracy and inactive structures.
“I no longer recognize the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it’s a one-man show or a zero-man show,” he said.
His comments prompted a response from Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communications to President Tinubu. Bwala urged El-Rufai to abandon what he termed a “vengeance mission.”
“These statements are not borne out of patriotism but a desire for vengeance. The opposition sees that as a tool for recruitment,” Bwala tweeted
He advised El-Rufai to resolve his grievances amicably, saying, “I still think you don’t need all these melodramatic activities. Come back and address your issues like the dignified man that you are.”
