Usman Okai Austin, a public affairs expert, stated on Tuesday that Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, ought to allow Nigerians make the decision over President Bola Tinubu’s future in 2027, not him.
El-Rufai’s statement that Tinubu cannot win the 2027 presidential race coincides with Okai’s call.
He called the leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) “ego-driven” and “pure sour grapes.”
Okai posted on Facebook: “El-Rufai is more concerned with Nasir El-Rufai than he is with Nigeria.”
“Tinubu’s fate in 2027 should be decided by Nigerians, not El-Rufai, who attempts to usurp the people’s power and speaks like God.”
Okai asserted that Governor Uba Sani, El-Rufai’s successor, had methodically destroyed his political significance.
The expert claims that El-Rufai misread political undercurrents but expected Sani would stay loyal after supporting him as his successor.
Despite the fact that Uba and Shehu are brothers, this is the same El-Rufai who used his childhood friend Uba Sani as a weapon against Shehu Sani after manipulating him into becoming his chief of staff.
He wrote, “Blood proved thicker than water.”
By characterizing El-Rufai’s downfall as “poetic justice,” Okai portrayed a man who was once feared but is now despised.
“Once a kingmaker, he is now a discarded pawn — used, dumped, and left seething with rage.”
He also referenced El-Rufai’s controversial ministerial nomination, which was rejected during Senate screening, as an event he termed an “unprecedented disgrace.”
Adding insult to injury, Uba Sani reportedly disregarded El-Rufai’s preferred nominee for Kaduna’s ministerial slot and instead nominated his own candidate.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Okai noted, appeared to have completely sidelined the former governor.
“There were no calls, no reconciliation. Just cold, calculated disregard,” Okai wrote.
El-Rufai’s reaction, according to the analyst, has been one of public outbursts and media interviews.
“Now, El-Rufai is on a revenge tour — granting interviews, crying betrayal, and desperately trying to explain himself,” Okai remarked, asking if anyone was still paying attention.
The post also accused El-Rufai of fostering religious imbalance and managing rampant instability, which contributed to Kaduna becoming Nigeria’s first Muslim-Muslim ticket state.
He dared to suggest that Tinubu adopt his polarizing approach.
However, Tinubu outperformed him. Shettima was elected vice president. The ministerial fantasy fell apart.
El-Rufai’s history of political strife was also brought up by Okai, who mentioned his criticism of former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Musa Yar’Adua as well as his propensity to substitute devoted family members for political allies.
El-Rufai would be praising him today if Tinubu had appointed him as a minister or if Uba Sani had continued to be his puppet.
But now? He is just another resentful former governor who is writhing in the political abyss and yelling for attention.
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