₦airaland Forum

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, revealed how he rejected a move to have him endorse former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor.

Under the Obasanjo government, El-Rufai served first as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and later as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 2003 to 2007.

While exiting power in 2007, Obasanjo backed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his successor.

Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the second edition of the annual symposium of the Ajibosin Platform with the theme “Importance of Leadership in Governance,” Obasanjo revealed that former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had recommended El-Rufai as his successor, but he brushed it aside.

Chidoka, who was the keynote speaker at the event, recalled how El-Rufai recommended him to Obasanjo at the age of 34, a move that brought him closer to the presidency and eventually led to his appointment as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Addressing the gathering, Obasanjo threw a jab at Chidoka for his failure to tell the El-Rufai story.

“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.

Facing Chidoka, who sat among the panelists, Obasanjo asked, “No be so (Is that not true)?”

The former minister nodded his head in agreement.

Obasanjo explained that he brushed aside the recommendation of El-Rufai as his successor because he felt his former minister needed to mature.

“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. You remember?

“When I left government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”

Obasanjo, however, applauded Chidoka, El-Rufai, and others for their “special attributes,” which he said were the driving forces of his government.

Speaking on the theme, the Ota-farmer emphasized character, exposure, experience, and training as the hallmarks of good leadership.

Obasanjo said, “It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership. 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.”

Delivering the keynote address, Chidoka blamed Nigeria’s challenges on what he called excuses and the politics of alibi.

“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind.

“Moral conviction must translate into the everyday machinery of governance—rules, routines, and institutions that make competence predictable and corruption difficult.

“Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas; it is the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors,” he said.


He called for a shift from excuses to action and taking responsibility.

“We must therefore make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results: measure by building national dashboards and accountability systems that track every promise, every budget, every outcome. Monitor by strengthening the institutions that evaluate government performance and expose complacency,” he said.

The convener of the symposium, Aare Olanrewaju Bakinson, said the lecture aimed to discuss the critical role effective leadership plays in shaping societies and nations.

“Leadership is not just about power; it’s about responsibility, vision, and service. As we explore this theme, we’ll examine the qualities of good governance, the impact of leadership on development, and strategies for fostering ethical leadership,” he said.

Among the prominent personalities at the event were Senator representing Ogun Central, Shuaibu Salis; the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola; the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege; and former Ogun First Lady, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun.

ogododo:
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, revealed how he rejected a move to have him endorse former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor.

Under the Obasanjo government, El-Rufai served first as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and later as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 2003 to 2007.


While exiting power in 2007, Obasanjo backed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his successor.


Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the second edition of the annual symposium of the Ajibosin Platform with the theme “Importance of Leadership in Governance,” Obasanjo revealed that former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had recommended El-Rufai as his successor, but he brushed it aside.

Chidoka, who was the keynote speaker at the event, recalled how El-Rufai recommended him to Obasanjo at the age of 34, a move that brought him closer to the presidency and eventually led to his appointment as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Addressing the gathering, Obasanjo threw a jab at Chidoka for his failure to tell the El-Rufai story.


“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.

Facing Chidoka, who sat among the panelists, Obasanjo asked, “No be so (Is that not true)?”

The former minister nodded his head in agreement.

Obasanjo explained that he brushed aside the recommendation of El-Rufai as his successor because he felt his former minister needed to mature.

“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. You remember?


“When I left government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”

Obasanjo, however, applauded Chidoka, El-Rufai, and others for their “special attributes,” which he said were the driving forces of his government.

Speaking on the theme, the Ota-farmer
emphasized character, exposure, experience, and training as the hallmarks of good leadership.
Obasanjo said, “It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership. Even among armed robbers, I was told there is apprenticeship.

Emphasis on the highlight.


“But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough.”

Delivering the keynote address, Chidoka blamed Nigeria’s challenges on what he called excuses and the politics of alibi.

“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind.

“Moral conviction must translate into the everyday machinery of governance—rules, routines, and institutions that make competence predictable and corruption difficult.

“Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas; it is the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors,” he said.


He called for a shift from excuses to action and taking responsibility.

“We must therefore make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results: measure by building national dashboards and accountability systems that track every promise, every budget, every outcome. Monitor by strengthening the institutions that evaluate government performance and expose complacency,” he said.

The convener of the symposium, Aare Olanrewaju Bakinson, said the lecture aimed to discuss the critical role effective leadership plays in shaping societies and nations.

“Leadership is not just about power; it’s about responsibility, vision, and service. As we explore this theme, we’ll examine the qualities of good governance, the impact of leadership on development, and strategies for fostering ethical leadership,” he said.


Among the prominent personalities at the event were Senator representing Ogun Central, Shuaibu Salis; the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola; the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege; and former Ogun First Lady, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun.

https://dailytrust.com/breaking-i-rejected-el-rufai-as-my-successor-obasanjo/

badoh:
Lamba from Baba again. Baba weh deh look for someone who is weak and can easily be controlled and Yaradua was a perfect fit for that hence he settled for him. Baba no say El-rufai can't be controlled like that, reason why he did not back him.

badoh:
Lamba from Baba again. Baba weh deh look for someone who is weak and can easily be controlled and Yaradua was a perfect fit for that hence he settled for him. Baba no say El-rufai can't be controlled like that, reason why he did not back him.

AMINDA:
If at 34, Elrufai was already a minister and in the conversations as a prospective president, then he hasn't done bad for himself. Obasanjo alluding to the need for Elrufai to "mature" may simply be referring to Elrufai's penchant for being vocal and blunt to the letter "T". An attribute that is a crime in today's murky world of Nigerian politics. Whatever reason anyone may cite to pass up on Elrufai, it cannot be for lack of competence nor the ability to deliver. His public service records remain unbeatable.

mohbadliveson:
Read well. Chidoka was 34 when El Rufai recommended him

mohbadliveson:
So Chidoka agreed that El Rufai was not mature after his ethnic and religious bigotry in Kaduna

Niwdog:
Those days when men at 40 were made ministers unlike what we have now

Hezzyluv:
It has nothing to do with mature or Immature of El-rufai.

Obasanjo had already known who is. Tinubu also know the reason why he didn't pick him as his chief of staff.

AMINDA:
Ditto. You're only partially correct yourself. Chidoka was 34 and Elrufai was 43 but Chidoka was the one who recommended Elrufai to Obasanjo. Not vice versa.

AMINDA:
Ethnic and religious bigotry that he didn't exhibit in private practice, nor as DG BPE or Minister of FCT. How come he suddenly became an Ethnic and religious bigot as governor of Kaduna? Go check the history, Kaduna has always been a volatile state dating back to the 80's. Same as Plateau. Elrufai stabilised the state but he had to do so with an iron grip. Something previous governors shied away from doing due to political correctness. He's hated for it but it's a price he's happy to pay.

BATified2023:
same man who bragged about killing of Christians in southern Kaduna n when he got heavy backlash fumbled again by saying he has paid bandits to stop killing people.

U want us to believe there's Christian genocide in Nigeria but u don't want us to believe el rufai who is now obi ally is part of it?

mohbadliveson:
Chidoka, who was the keynote speaker at the event, recalled how El-Rufai recommended him to Obasanjo at the age of 34, a move that brought him closer to the presidency and eventually led to his appointment as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).


You must be a dvllard. This is simple English. El Rufai first recommended Chidoka to ObJ. Then Chidoka then recommended El Rufai to Obj as successor. One good turn stuff

Niwdog:
Those days when men at 40 were made ministers unlike what we have now

AMINDA:
Ditto. You're only partially correct yourself. Chidoka was 34 and Elrufai was 43 but Chidoka was the one who recommended Elrufai to Obasanjo. Not vice versa.

AMINDA:
Social media is indeed a leveller. Well, thanks for the heads-up that Osita Chidoka came into limelight after an introduction from Elrufai to Obasanjo. This is an information that I have never come across in the public space.

Hezzyluv:
It has nothing to do with mature or Immature of El-rufai.

Obasanjo had already known who is. Tinubu also know the reason why he didn't pick him as his chief of staff.

AMINDA:
If at 43, Elrufai was already a minister and DG BPE before that and in the conversations as a prospective president, then he hasn't done bad for himself. Obasanjo alluding to the need for Elrufai to "mature" may simply be referring to Elrufai's penchant for being vocal and blunt to the letter "T". An attribute that is a crime in today's murky world of Nigerian politics. Whatever reason anyone may cite to pass up on Elrufai, it cannot be for lack of competence nor the ability to deliver. His public service records remain unbeatable.