El-Rufai Opens Up On Tinubu’s Appointments

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has reacted to allegations of ethnic favoritism in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointments.

The allegations were again brought to fore by Farooq Kperogi, a Nigerian professor of journalism based in the United States, who accused Tinubu of prioritizing individuals from the Yoruba ethnic group for key roles in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

In an article titled “Tinubu’s Buharisation of the NNPC,” Kperogi claimed that Tinubu is favoring Yoruba individuals, referencing insider information that Bayo Ojulari may be considered for the position of Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPCL after Mele Kyari’s tenure ends.

Kperogi expressed concern over what he described as a “Yorubacentric takeover” of the NNPCL, pointing out that this approach undermines national unity. He noted that Tinubu, a Yoruba man, is already the Minister of Petroleum, while Senator Heineken Lokpobiri from the South-South is the Minister of State for Petroleum, and Chief Pius Akinyelure, another Yoruba, serves as NNPC’s Non-Executive Board Chairman.

In his response on X, El-Rufai acknowledged the concern, stating, “Two wrongs do not make a right.” While referencing the imbalanced appointments during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, El-Rufai stressed the importance of inclusion over exclusion.

He added, “Sensible inclusion always trumps arrogant exclusion,” calling for a fair and balanced approach to national appointments.

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