Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has stated that the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) has no involvement in resolving the controversy surrounding the ministerial nomination of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Sule, a member of the PGF, stressed that El-Rufai remains a loyal member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite his rejection by the Senate in August 2023. Speaking on Politics Today, broadcast by Channels Television, Sule remarked, “El-Rufai has not left our party; he is still part of our party.”
The governor clarified that El-Rufai’s ministerial predicament was not discussed by the PGF or the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, as the matter lies beyond their jurisdiction. “It is the prerogative of Mr President to nominate his ministers, and the agencies, including the National Assembly, decide whether to confirm or reject them,” Sule explained.
El-Rufai’s rejection was reportedly due to security concerns raised by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The former Kaduna governor, who played a significant role in securing the APC presidential ticket for Bola Tinubu in 2023, was a staunch advocate for the rotation of power to the South following President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
While Tinubu nominated El-Rufai for a ministerial position, the Senate rejected his candidacy, fuelling speculation about his political future. El-Rufai has since distanced himself from APC activities and has been linked to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), although he denies any plans to defect.
Moreover, his relationship with his successor, Governor Sani Uba, has deteriorated, with the Kaduna State Assembly investigating his administration over allegations of corruption, accusations which El-Rufai has firmly denied.
