How Tinubu, El-Rufai’s Ministerial Deal Crumbled

President Bola Tinubu‘s initial agreement with former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, regarding a ministerial position has toppled.

El-Rufai was poised to head the anticipated Ministry of Power and Gas, following comprehensive talks with Tinubu on achieving a consistent power supply for the nation.

Despite expressing a desire to leave the country for a more private life during the presidential campaign, El-Rufai re-evaluated his decision after “intensive discussions with the President” post-election.

Emphasizing the importance of gas for reliable power, he suggested the merger of gas with the power ministry.

A confidential source who spoke with Punch revealed that El-Rufai had begun collaborating with industry experts to fulfil the President’s commitment to uninterrupted power.

Notable individuals in this advisory group included Jimi Lawal, Olu Verheijen, Eyo Ekpo, and Tolu Oyekan.

The El-Rufai group believed that a combination of factors might have made the President delay his confirmation.

A source close to the group, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Certain elements in the Villa might have felt threatened by El-Rufai. They don’t want him because they are already planning for the next election as the case may be and they see him as a potential threat to their aspirations.

“Some political foes like Senator Shehu Sani and some elements in the Christian Association of Nigeria and even some Muslim clerics are all part of the gang-up.

“Recall that during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, El-Rufai had issues with federal lawmakers when he alleged that some of them were demanding bribes from him. Obasanjo intervened and the matter was resolved and the Senate cleared him. So, if President Tinubu wanted El-Rufai, he would have insisted that the former governor be cleared.”

A source had earlier revealed to the platform, “El-Rufai had met with the President on many occasions concerning how to build the new ministry. The President was told by El-Rufai that the Ministry of Power should also have gas added to it and President Tinubu agreed to that.

“He also asked that the National Energy Council be established to discuss and take positions on issues affecting power. The proposed energy council is to comprise ministers in charge of finance, environment, energy, justice and the office of the National Security Adviser.

“I think the President bought the ideas and had been listening to the former minister, who had also been visiting Aso Rock to brief the commander-in-chief on his findings and how to make progress.

“The President was assured that uninterrupted or partial interruption of power is possible in the next five to seven years.”

The alliance between President Tinubu and El-Rufai, rooted in the former Kaduna State governor’s stance during a pre-election crisis within the All Progressives Congress, initially led Tinubu to disregard unfavourable security reports about the former minister.

However, sources indicate that influential figures within Tinubu’s close advisors expressed reservations about granting El-Rufai significant power, voicing concerns over his trustworthiness.

The source added, “So, his enemies won when the second security report on him was sent to the offices of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), President of the Senate and the National Security Adviser detailing the numerous reasons why El-Rufai should not be cleared for a ministerial position.”

Punch revealed that a cover letter signed by one Aminu Yusuf on behalf of the Director-General, Department of State Services, dated August 4, 2023, with reference number SV.8/1430 titled, ‘Re: Security Vetting’ and addressed to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), obtained from the secret police wrote, “Further to this Service letter S.V.8/1426 dated 1st of August, 2023, giving provisional security clearance to three (3) ministerial nominees, including Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, pending conclusion of vetting. (Appendix ‘A’ instructive).

“This Service wishes to state that further vetting and background checks conducted revealed some underlined issues which have negatively affected the nominee and as such, it is recommended that El-Rufai’s clearance by the Senate of the National Assembly be stepped down until the issues are cleared as investigation continues.

“Summary of the issues under investigation are (sic) attached as Appendix ‘B’ for ease of reference.

“Accept the assurances and esteemed regards of the DGSS please.”

However, the appendixes ‘A’ and ‘B’ attached to the letter detailing the issues for which El-Rufai’s clearance was put on hold were not obtained.