You Guys Are Naive!” – How Obasanjo Dumped El-Rufai For Yar’Adua

A former Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Akin Osuntokun, has alleged that the enduring political rivalry between Nasir El-Rufai and Nuhu Ribadu was deepened by critical decisions taken in the build-up to the 2011 presidential election.

According to Ireporter Online, Osuntokun made the claim during an appearance on ARISE News on Tuesday, where he suggested that Bola Tinubu’s decision to support Ribadu instead of El-Rufai created lingering resentment, noting that the former Kaduna State governor “never really got over” the development.

Osuntokun, who previously served as political adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, traced the roots of the rivalry to 2006 during deliberations surrounding Obasanjo’s succession plan. He disclosed that a nine-member caucus constituted to shape the President’s exit strategy had nearly reached a consensus to present El-Rufai as Obasanjo’s preferred successor. He explained that members of the caucus, whom he described as having close personal relationships with the President, were convened formally to guide the transition process under the chairmanship of then Attorney-General Bayo Ojo.

According to him, the group had resolved—almost unanimously—to push El-Rufai’s candidacy, adding that Ribadu, who was at the time Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was among the strongest advocates of the proposal. He described both men as northern technocrats with strong public profiles, citing El-Rufai’s tenure as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Ribadu’s leadership at the EFCC as evidence of their perceived efficiency and effectiveness.

However, Osuntokun stated that Obasanjo rejected the recommendation, indicating that he had reservations about El-Rufai. He recounted that the former President hinted he possessed deeper insights about El-Rufai that others were unaware of, warning members of the caucus that they were “naive” in their assessment.

Obasanjo ultimately settled for the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, citing his credentials and longstanding ties to the Yar’Adua family. Osuntokun noted that Yar’Adua was widely regarded as one of the most credible northern governors at the time and highlighted his early public support for Obasanjo’s 1999 presidential bid, as well as the enduring influence of the late Shehu Yar’Adua’s legacy on Obasanjo’s thinking.

He dismissed suggestions that the 2006 episode immediately triggered a rift between El-Rufai and Ribadu, explaining that members of the caucus initially believed Yar’Adua would retain them within his political fold. However, he said relations later deteriorated as the Yar’Adua administration distanced itself from the group, a development he described as destabilising.

Osuntokun further alleged that mounting political pressure and investigations eventually forced both El-Rufai and Ribadu into exile, a situation he said inadvertently elevated their political profiles due to public sympathy over their treatment.