The Presidency has told former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to let go of his disappointment over his exclusion from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet and move on with his life. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, criticized El-Rufai’s continued remarks about his failed ministerial appointment, saying the former governor was behaving “like a child crying over spilt milk.”
El-Rufai, in an interview with Arise TV on Monday, claimed that President Tinubu personally withdrew his ministerial nomination, contrary to reports that the Senate rejected him due to security concerns.
“The National Assembly had nothing to do with this. The President changed his mind. I don’t care whatever the reason is I’ve moved on,” El-Rufai said. However, speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, Onanuga dismissed El-Rufai’s grievances, stating that while the former FCT minister played a crucial role in Tinubu’s election, it was time for him to accept reality and move forward.
“The cabinet was formed in August 2023. El-Rufai must move on. He cannot continue to behave like a child, as if someone stole his bread,” Onanuga remarked. He acknowledged that it was natural for El-Rufai to feel disappointed but emphasized that Tinubu had already recognized his contributions.
“If he is not in the cabinet, it doesn’t mean he should bring down the roof,” Onanuga added.
