Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that he turned down a proposal to endorse Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, as his successor in 2007.
El-Rufai served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and later as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during Obasanjo’s administration between 2003 and 2007.
Speaking on Friday at the second annual symposium of the Ajibosin Platform in Abeokuta, Ogun State, themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance,” Obasanjo said former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka had recommended el-Rufai to succeed him.
The former president, however, said he rejected the suggestion because el-Rufai “needed more time to mature.”
Chidoka, who delivered the keynote address at the event, had earlier narrated how el-Rufai introduced him to Obasanjo at age 34—an encounter that led to his appointment as Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Interrupting Chidoka’s speech, Obasanjo told the audience: “Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing, when I was leaving government, that his friend, el-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said, turning to Chidoka for confirmation.
“I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person; why didn’t you agree?’ I said el-Rufai needs to mature.
“Many years later, when he saw el-Rufai’s performance, he came back to me and said, ‘You were absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”
Obasanjo praised both Chidoka and el-Rufai for their “special attributes,” noting that their contributions were vital to the success of his administration.
He also underscored the need for leadership training in politics, lamenting that unlike other professions, political leadership in Nigeria lacks formal preparation.
“It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership,” Obasanjo said. “Even among armed robbers, I was told there is apprenticeship. But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough.”