…Says Nigeria deserves younger, active president
Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has ruled himself out of the race for the 2023 Presidency.
Citing advancing age as a key reason for his decision, the 62 year old governor stated that Nigeria needs a younger, more active leader due to enormous responsibilities that come with the office.
El-Rufai stated this during an interview with the Pidgin service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
He further disclosed that in spite of what many people think, he has never nursed a presidential ambition.
The Governor further stated that governing Kaduna has aged him greatly, insisting that the responsibility of taking on Nigeria’s leadership would be far greater.
He said, “Look at me, look at my grey hair. If you see my picture when I was sworn in, my hair was very black but look at how it has become.
This is a very difficult job and that is just as a state governor, one state out of 36. Kaduna is a big state, yes; a difficult one to govern, yes, but it is not the same as Nigeria.
“The Presidency of Nigeria is a very serious job, it is too much for a 62-year-old.”
When asked on the possibility of being a running mate to someone else, el-Rufai said he has not given the idea a thought.
Canvassing for power shift to the South in 2023, the Governor disclosed that presidency should go to the South when President Muhammadu Buhari completes his tenure in 2023.
He said: “I have not thought about it at all. I have said it that in the political system we have, after eight years of President Buhari, the presidency should go to the south.”
He added that he has faced heavy backlash from the public who may have misinterpreted his political motives.
El-Rufai said, “I have been suffering from this presidential ambition suspicion since 2006. I have suffered it for 15 years today, and I am tired of it.
There are people that are out to paint me in a particular picture so that, I will be out of the presidential race, but they don’t know that I am not in any race.
“They have called me all sorts of names; they said I am a Hausa-Fulani supporter and a Jihadist.
Jihadist when? Where? I am not even an active member of any Islamic organization. I am Muslim and a devout one but, I believe religion is private. Even here in this office, when it is time for prayer, I just excuse myself as if I am going to the restroom.
“I don’t ask anyone to come and pray with me, because we will all go to our graves separately.
“Look around me and see, I’m not surrounded by only Muslims.
“This government is the only state government in this country that has at least people from 13 other states of the Federation as cabinet members.
“One of the most influential persons in my life, one of my closest political associates is Pastor Tunde Bakare.
“It was Pastor Tunde Bakare that actually introduced me to Buhari and CPC. I didn’t join the CPC because Buhari lives in Kaduna or he is a northerner,” he added.
