By Divine Sam
The recent exchange between the Presidency and Nasir El-Rufai highlights the ongoing tension over the latter’s exclusion from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. In response to El-Rufai’s comments about being rejected by Tinubu despite his efforts to secure a ministerial position, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed sympathy for El-Rufai but urged him to move on. Onanuga suggested that it’s natural for El-Rufai to feel hurt, but insisted that he should not dwell on the issue and instead focus on his long history in public service.
This back-and-forth comes after El-Rufai’s appearance on Arise Television, where he hinted that the rejection came from Tinubu, not the National Assembly, and expressed frustration over not being appointed. Despite this, Onanuga emphasized that the President holds no ill will towards El-Rufai, pointing to Tinubu’s acknowledgment of his contributions during the election season. Onanuga’s remarks framed El-Rufai’s continued focus on the issue as an overreaction, urging him to let go of his disappointment and move forward.
What do you think of this back-and-forth?
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