From governor to gadfly – What’s next for El-Rufai? By Emameh ES Gabriel

From governor to gadfly – What’s next for El-Rufai? By Emameh ES Gabriel

It is both ironic and tragic that Malam Nasir El-Rufai, a man whose political career has been marked by a series of self-inflicted missteps, now finds solace in amplifying alarmists musings.

The embattled former Governor of Kaduna State, whose tenure left more scars than solutions in his eight years stint, seems to have taken up the role of a social media scavenger, clutching at every straw of discontent to soothe his frayed nerves. It is no surprise that he has latched onto one of Diala’s latest piece, rebranding it with a sensational title to stoke ethnic flames. But let us be clear: this is not a stitch in time saving nine; it is a desperate attempt to fan embers of discord in a nation already grappling with enough challenges.

I am not speaking as an individual with a vested interest; while personal or collective interests may exist, my focus is squarely on the national interest and the unity of our great nation. It is, however, regrettable that this opinion being promoted by Malam, a man I also respect so much, comes from someone I hold in the highest regard, Dr. Uche Diala, a person I consider not merely a friend but a brother.

Dr. Uche Diala’s piece, while dressed in the garb of concern, is a thinly veiled exercise in fear-mongering and historical revisionism. To suggest that the South West and supporters of President Bola Tinubu are “playing with fire” is not only hyperbolic but also a deliberate distortion of the political realities of our time. Diala’s narrative, much like El-Rufai’s recent antics, oiled with a nostalgia for a bygone era when political power was wielded like a cudgel, and regionalism was the currency of relevance. But Nigeria has moved beyond such simplistic binaries, and it is high time El-rufai and and his cheerleaders caught up.

Please take note: El-Rufai does not represent the interests of the North, nor does he possess the authority to do so. He cannot implicate the entire northern region in his personal disputes with his successor, regardless of any grievances he may harbour.

Now, let us address the elephant in the room: the North as the so-called “kingmaker.” This tired trope, regurgitated ad nauseam, is a relic of a past that no longer holds sway in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. While the North remains a critical bloc, the idea that it alone holds the keys to the nation is a myth perpetuated by those who benefit from its propagation.

Just this morning, I read an opinion by my elder brother, Prince Kasim Afegbua, with the title: “2027: The North and the Rest of Us, in which he stressed the importance of equity, fairness, and collaboration among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones in the pursuit of the presidency. Drawing from his 28 years of political experience, Afegbua argued that no region can single-handedly produce a president without the support of others. He cites the example of former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose initial three presidential bids failed because he neglected to campaign in the South. It was only when Buhari built a coalition with the South that he succeeded in defeating an incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan. Afegbua expressed concern over whispers of Northern plans to dominate the 2027 presidential race and disrupt the existing power rotation framework.

People should know that Nigeria’s politics is no longer a zero-sum game of regional alliances but a complex interplay of ideas, performance, and inclusivity. President Tinubu’s administration, far from alienating any region, has consistently emphasised unity and equitable development. To suggest otherwise is to peddle a false narrative designed to sow division.

Diala’s comparison of President Tinubu to former President Goodluck Jonathan is not only flawed but also disingenuous. Jonathan’s administration faltered not because of regional politics but because of its inability to deliver on its promises and its failure to unite a fractured nation. Tinubu, on the other hand, is a seasoned political strategist with a track record of building bridges across regions. To reduce his presidency to the whims of “tribal and geopolitical politics” is to underestimate the man and the moment. Tinubu’s leadership is not a one-man show, as Diala claims, but one working to steer Nigeria towards prosperity. The attempt to paint his supporters as “rambunctious” or “arrogant”, is a cheap shot aimed at undermining their legitimate enthusiasm for a leader who has earned their trust.

As for El-Rufai, his sudden concern for the APC’s fortunes in 2027 is laughable, given his own role in the party’s internal crises. This is a man who, not too long ago, urged the opposition to mobilise against his own party. Now, he positions himself as a guardian of the APC’s future? The irony is as thick as the smog over Abuja. El-Rufai’s political career has been a masterclass in contradictions, and his latest theatrics are no exception. Rather than offering constructive criticism, he has chosen to amplify divisive rhetoric, further exposing his own place in the current political equation.

To both Diala and El-Rufai, I say this: Nigeria is not a chessboard for political gambits, and its people are not pawns to be manipulated. The challenges we face as a nation require unity, not division; solutions, not scaremongering. If you truly wish to contribute to Nigeria’s progress, focus on building bridges rather than burning them. The era of playing regional politics is over, and those who fail to adapt will be left behind.

In the words of Chinua Achebe, “When the rain falls on the leopard, it does not wash off its spots.” No amount of alarmist rhetoric can mask the fact that Nigeria is moving forward, with or without the likes of El-Rufai.

The notion that any single region holds the key to political power is an outdated concept that fails to account for the dynamic and interconnected nature of modern Nigerian society. The South West, North, South East, and every other region are integral parts of a whole, and their collective strength lies in their unity and cooperation.

President Tinubu’s administration has consistently emphasised the importance of inclusivity and equitable development. His policies and initiatives are designed to address the needs of all Nigerians, regardless of their regional or tribal affiliations.

El-rufai doesn’t speak for the North but for himself. His tenure as Governor of Kaduna State was marked by countless controversies, some of which his successor, Uba Sani is working tirelessly to address and his recent actions suggest a continued preference for stirring the pot rather than offering constructive solutions. By amplifying Diala’s alarmist rhetoric, El-Rufai is contributing to the very divisions he claims to be concerned about. This is not the behaviour of a statesman but one seeking to remain relevant in a changing landscape.

El-Rufai would do well to heed the lessons of history and recognise that the future of Nigeria lies in its unity and collective strength. The era of regional kingmakers and divisive politics is over. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” Let us rise above the petty politics of division and work together to build a Nigeria that we can all be proud of. The fire we should be playing with is the fire of unity, determination, and hope for a better Nigeria.

Emameh Gabriel wrote from Abuja