By Nasiru Jagaba

Nasir El-Rufai’s interview with Arise TV was indeed a calculated move, showcasing his political strategy. He made some bold claims, including that President Bola Tinubu was behind his ministerial rejection, not the Senate. El-Rufai also accused National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani of orchestrating a smear campaign against him.

Nasir El-Rufai’s blame on Nuhu Ribado for his current struggles seems to overlook his own history of betraying former bosses and allies. El-Rufai has betrayed notable figures like Atiku Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as other business partners.

Given his track record, it’s surprising that El-Rufai didn’t anticipate potential repercussions. His tendency to betray those he works with has raised concerns about his loyalty and trustworthiness. It’s only logical that leaders would exercise caution when dealing with someone who has consistently demonstrated a pattern of betrayal.

El-Rufai’s past actions have likely created a sense of distrust among his former associates, making it challenging for him to find support or allies in his current endeavors. Rather than blaming others, El-Rufai might need to reflect on his own actions and consider how they’ve contributed to his present situation. Nasir El-Rufai’s move to point fingers at Nuhu Ribado can be seen as a strategic attempt to deflect attention from his own controversies.

Moreover, El-Rufai’s involvement in several pending allegations, including the Chibok girls’ kidnapping and accusations related to security and financial misappropriation, may indeed be a reason for him to preempt his likely arrest by shifting the focus to Nuhu Ribado.

On lopsided appointment he raised, El-Rufai’s failure to speak out against Buhari’s northern-dominated appointments, while now condemning Tinubu’s similar actions, is hypocritical. During Buhari’s tenure, key positions were held by northerners, with 81 out of 100 political office holders being from the North. These included:

<Federal Character Commission:
Chairman and Secretary were from the North
<Security and Law Enforcement:
National Security Adviser, Chief of Army Staff and Air Force, Director of DSS, Immigration Boss, Inspector General of Police, and Controller General of Customs
<Judiciary:
Attorney General of the Federation and Chief Justice.

Similarly, Nasir El-Rufai’s criticism of President Tinubu’s policies seems insincere, considering his own track record in Kaduna State. His policies were so hash that have destroyed the state’s economy, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. He demolished thriving markets that generated significant revenue for the state and replaced it with a shopping malls that only a select few can afford to patronize. Many families have been left homeless, and numerous individuals have lost their jobs, shelter without receiving entitlements, with some even dying from trauma.

Nasiru El-Rufai’s plans to unseat Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and President Bola Tinibu in the 2027 elections may be more challenging than he anticipates. Despite his reputation as a force in Nigerian politics, El-Rufai’s influence has limitations. El-Rufai’s strategy to exploit ethnic, regional, and religious sentiments may not yield the desired results, as Uba Sani is well-versed in El-Rufai’s tactics.

While El-Rufai played a significant role in toppling the PDP government in 2015, it’s essential to acknowledge that he wasn’t the sole architect of that victory. President Tinibu, who was part of the APC’s campaign, brought significant votes from the Western region, while El-Rufai leveraged former President Buhari’s popularity in the North.

Uba Sani’s experience working alongside El-Rufai has equipped him with the knowledge to counter El-Rufai’s strategies. Additionally, Uba Sani’s ability to connect with people across party lines and religions may prove to be a significant asset in the 2027 elections. Unlike El-Rufai, who is perceived as proud and aloof, Uba Sani has demonstrated humility, he came down from his high horse with willingness to listen to others.

El-rufai may not be aware that the non-Hausa/Fulani populations, who form the majority of the North, have become wary of his treacherous, manipulative, and deceptive tactics. They will no longer be swayed by his ego-driven agenda. They know that if El-rufai was appointed Minister, he would have been busy defending the government of President Tinibu at all costs.

El-rufai should trade with caution because he is not prepared and time is not by his side. The situation bears some resemblance to Adolf Hitler’s catastrophic mistakes during World War II. Blinded by pride, Hitler underestimated his enemies and overextended his military, fighting multiple fronts to feed his ego rather than serve Germany. Initially, Hitler’s confidence was palpable, but by 1945, his voice was shattered, and he faced a dire choice: surrender or suicide. Similarly, El-Rufai’s actions may lead to a comparable downfall. When El-Rufai reaches the point of defeat, it remains to be seen whether he will choose surrender or continue down a path of destruction