El-Rufai withdraws from ministerial race after being rejected by senators and names his replacement

FORMER Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has withdrawn his nomination to serve as a minister in the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after senators rejected his initial presentation over security concerns.

Last month, President Tinubu's list of ministerial nominees was presented to the Nigerian senate by his chief of staff Hon Femi Gbajabiamila who handed it over to the senate president Senator Godswill Akpabio who in turn read it out. Under the dictates of Nigeria's constitution, the senate needs to confirm all of the president's ministerial nominees.

Following a recent change to the rules, the president has 60 days from when he is sworn-in to appoint his ministers, giving President Tinubu until May 27 to submit his list. So far, the senate has approved 45 of the nominees but they rejected three of them, of which Governor El-Rufai was one of them.

Having made a lot of enemies during his eight year tenure as Kaduna State governor, it is no surprise that some senators were lying in wait for the controversial  Governor El-Rufai. Sensing that any fresh nomination will similarly be rejected, Governor El-Rufai has decided to withdraw from the process and has recommended a replacement to serve as a minister in his place.

One presidency source said Governor El-Rufai has informed President Tinubu that he would no longer consider his nomination as a minister in the government. He then reportedly assured President Tinubu that he would continue contributing his quota to national development as a private citizen.

Apparently, Governor  El-Rufai has recommended Jafaru Ibrahim Sani, who served as a commissioner in Kaduna State under him as replacement. Mr Sani has served as local government, education and environment commissioner and has none of the insecurity issues associated with Governor El-Rufai.