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Speakership: Gov El-Rufai loses all Kaduna APC reps to Tinubu’s man

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6 years ago

May 19, 2019

The immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has reportedly withdrawn his interest in being part of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. According to report, presidency sources said Mr El-Rufai told President Tinubu at a meeting on Tuesday that he was no longer interested in becoming a minister but would continue to contribute his quota to the development of Nigeria as a private citizen. “He also told the president that he needed time to focus on his doctorate programme at a university in The Netherlands,” a source said. Another insider also said that the former governor suggested a new ministerial nominee — Jafaru Ibrahim Sani — for Kaduna State, saying the President would find him very useful and resourceful. Mr Sani served as commissioner in three ministries in Kaduna State (Local Government Education and Environment) while Mr El-Rufai was governor.

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While Kaduna Gov Nasir el-Rufai has been waxing lyrical about how to defeat Lagos politics godfather Ahmed Tinubu, he too might be losing his grip on Kaduna APC federal lawmakers.

All the APC federal reps in the state are supporting Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, a candidate of Tinubu, who is perceived to be nursing a 2023 agenda like el-Rufai.

The lawmakers are even working hard to recruit the three PDP in the run-up to the June 10 election in the lower chamber.

In a statement signed by nine of the 12 members-elect and read to newsmen by Rep. Tajudeen Abass at the end of their caucus meeting, the incoming legislators also pledged support for Rep Ahmed Wase (APC-Plateau) for Deputy Speaker of the Lower chamber.

“The meeting was a huge success as all the members-elect not only reiterated their unflinching support for the project but also tried to convince other four members-elect of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC. 9th Assembly

“The caucus meeting was chaired by a 4th term member of the house, Rep. Garba Datti Mohammad,” the statement quoted the Rep. members-elect as saying.

The ruling party has zone the chamber’s topmost position to the southwest, and Gbajabiamila, from Lagos, is the party’s choice.

The fifth timer is currently the Majority Leader of the house, while Wase is the current Deputy Majority Leader.

Other contenders for the office of speaker include; Rep. Nkiruka Onyejeocha (APC-Abia) Rep. John Dyegh (APC-Benue) Rep. Umaru Bago (APC-Niger) Rep. Abdulrazak Namdas (APC-Adamawa) among others.

Some campaign against Tinubu has kick-started in Kaduna, as el-Rufai himself takes the war across Nigeria, especially Lagos where he recently delivered a speech indicting godfatherism in Lagos