The Presidency under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has responded to recent statements by former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, regarding his exclusion from the president’s ministerial appointments, urging him to "stop crying like a child" and "move on."
El-Rufai, in several public remarks, expressed his dismay at not being included in the cabinet, accusing the president of betrayal. In a swift rebuke, a spokesperson for President Tinubu, who preferred to remain anonymous, urged the former governor to demonstrate political maturity and accept the president’s decision.
“The decision of who to appoint as ministers is the prerogative of the president, and Mallam El-Rufai should understand that it’s a democratic process with several factors involved. His repeated public grievances only serve to create unnecessary tension and reflect poorly on his character,” the spokesperson stated.
The presidency further stressed that “no individual is above the president’s vision for the country” and that El-Rufai’s actions were unbecoming of a leader of his stature. They emphasized that while political differences and disappointments are natural, such personal attacks and public outbursts were detrimental to Nigeria’s unity and progress.
"Mallam El-Rufai is an experienced politician who should understand that in governance, decisions are made for the greater good. It's time for him to stop crying like a child and move on," the statement concluded.