Obasanjo: I Rejected El-Rufai as My Successor Over Immaturity
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that he once considered former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as a potential successor after his tenure but decided against it due to what he described as El-Rufai’s “immaturity and impulsive behaviour” at the time.
Speaking at a recent public dialogue in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo recounted how El-Rufai impressed him with his administrative competence and boldness during his tenure as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and later as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Nasir was one of the most brilliant people I worked with in government. He was hardworking, courageous, and full of ideas. But at that time, he was too impulsive and sometimes arrogant — traits that made me conclude he wasn’t yet ready for leadership at the highest level,” Obasanjo stated.
The former president said leadership required not just intelligence, but also emotional maturity and patience, adding that his decision was not personal but based on national interest.
“Nigeria needed someone with a calm temperament and the ability to manage diversity. El-Rufai was talented, no doubt, but he needed more time to grow into a stabilizing leader,” Obasanjo added.
El-Rufai’s Reaction
In previous interviews, El-Rufai had acknowledged that Obasanjo played a major role in his political career, describing him as a mentor but admitting they disagreed on several issues. While he has not yet reacted to this latest revelation, he has often spoken about how Obasanjo’s administration shaped his public service journey.
Background
El-Rufai, who served as FCT minister under Obasanjo from 2003 to 2007, gained national prominence for his aggressive urban renewal drive in Abuja, which drew both praise and criticism for its strict enforcement and mass demolitions.
After leaving the Obasanjo administration, El-Rufai went on to become the Governor of Kaduna State (2015–2023), earning a reputation as a reform-minded but polarizing figure.
Political observers note that Obasanjo’s comments underscore his long-standing view that leadership requires more than administrative skill, but also character, restraint, and wisdom — qualities he has repeatedly emphasized in public discourse.
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