According to our reporter, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has finally revealed why he turned down the idea of supporting former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as his successor in 2007.
Speaking at the Ajibosin Platform Annual Symposium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo said that although El-Rufai was intelligent and hardworking, he believed the former minister lacked the political and personal maturity needed to lead Nigeria at the time.
Obasanjo explained that the suggestion to back El-Rufai came from former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, who had been part of his administration. “Osita recommended him, but I felt he needed more experience before taking on such a huge responsibility,” Obasanjo said.
According to our reporter, the former president added that his decision later proved right, as El-Rufai went on to achieve much more in later years. He stressed that leadership demands character, exposure, and preparation — not just ambition.
Chidoka, who also spoke at the event, agreed that Nigeria’s major challenge is not ideas but weak institutions, calling for stronger systems to ensure accountability and effective governance.
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