Since losing his ministerial nomination, el-Rufai has battled to shake off controversy. The former governor has now used a cryptic message to hit out at naysayers.
Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, sent a cryptic message on social media on Sunday, weeks after his ministerial candidacy was denied by the Senate.
The ex-governor shared lyrics from the late Jamaican artist, Bob Marley, in a message on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Bob Marley of blessed memory is one of the most talented musicians of all time,” El-Rufai stated. My passion for reggae music is linked to his songs and music.”
The ex-governor thereafter posted lyrics of the song:
“Man to man is so unjust, children
“Ya don’t know who to trust
“Your worst enemy could be your best friend
“And your best friend, your worse enemy
“Some will eat and drink with you
“(Some will eat and drink with you)
“Then behind them su-su ‘pon you
“Then behind them su-su ‘pon you)
“Only your friend know your secrets
“So only he could reveal it
“And who the cap fit, let them wear it!
“Who the cap fit, let them wear it!”
El-Rufai was one of President Bola Tinubu’s 48 cabinet nominations who were referred to the Senate for confirmation.
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The Senate authorised and confirmed 45 of the President’s nominees for ministerial positions, but deferred approval of El-Rufai and two others due to “security clearance”.
The Senate screened El-Rufai, a two-term governor of Kaduna from May 2015 to May 2023 and one of the President’s nine ex-governors on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
During El-Rufai’s Senate screening, Senator Karimi Sunday of Kogi West Senatorial District presented a “very strong petition” against the ex-Kaduna governor, citing concerns about insecurity, unity, and national cohesion.
Sunday, praised El-Rufai’s performance as governor of Kaduna and minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) some 20 years ago.
However, he stated: “But I have a very strong petition against you that concerns the security, unity, and cohesiveness of the Nigerian nation, and I believe that petition has to be considered along this screening exercise”.
However, El-Rufai was stopped from responding to the petition by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
El-Rufai was reportedly seen at the Villa following his rejection by the Senate.
He was also said to have withdrawn his desire in becoming a minister in Tinubu’s cabinet.
Last Monday, the President distributed portfolios to the 45 ministers-designate, with Kaduna State receiving the Minister of Environment and Ecological Management.
No replacement has been presented so far to President Tinubu for Kaduna State.
Also, it is not clear if the Senate will later decide to favour El-Rufai’s course.
