Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has claimed that some individuals allegedly paid money to secure ministerial appointments in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
El-Rufai made the statement during an interview with BBC Hausa, where he also addressed his ministerial nomination saga and clarified his reasons for declining the offer to serve in Tinubu’s cabinet.
Responding to claims that he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) after being snubbed for a ministerial position, el-Rufai insisted he never lobbied or contested for the role.
“Yes, that’s what they say, but did I contest for minister? I know some that paid money before they put their names as ministers,” he said.
He revealed that President Tinubu personally begged him to join the federal cabinet to address Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
“Mr President begged me, and even the whole world knows he begged me in Kaduna, and he asked me to come and work with him.”
“I didn’t accept it until we met and talked with him. He told me that he wants me to tackle the issue of electricity.”
“He said all past presidents have failed, and he wants to be the president that would make that electricity issue come to an end. Because of this challenge, I thought he was real.”
