Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s appointments, alleging that they lack balance and disproportionately favor individuals from Lagos rather than representing national interests.
Speaking on *Arise News* during *PrimeTime* on Monday night, El-Rufai argued that Tinubu’s choices were not based on ethnicity but on personal loyalty. He dismissed claims that the appointments were made to benefit the Yoruba ethnic group, asserting instead that the President was favoring his long-time associates.
“The president’s appointments are not being made because the appointees are Yoruba, but because they are his own boys. Most of the appointments do not even reasonably cover the South-West,” El-Rufai said.
He cautioned against generalizing Tinubu’s decisions as ethnic favoritism, urging Nigerians to hold individuals accountable rather than blaming entire regions.
“People should stop confusing the truth. The appointments are not balanced. Yes, definitely, definitely, right? You cannot argue that, but it’s not a Yoruba thing. Please don’t punish the Yorubas as you have been punishing northerners for the sins of the military,” he added.
El-Rufai also expressed disappointment in Tinubu’s governance, stating that the president has not lived up to expectations. He noted that hopes were high based on Tinubu’s track record in Lagos, but those expectations have yet to materialize.
“Two years after the election of President Tinubu, none of the party organs are functioning, the progressive ideals are not being pursued with vigor, and the very high expectations we had of the president to take this country to the highest level based on his track record in Lagos is somehow not materializing,” he lamented.
He urged the president to address these concerns and take corrective action, warning that dissatisfaction was growing in the North.
