El-Rufai Declares Political, Not Personal, Support for Tinubu: “Parallel Lines That’ll Never Meet”
Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur investigative Journalist,
ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has unequivocally clarified the nature of his relationship with President Bola Tinubu, insisting that his support for Tinubu’s successful 2023 presidential campaign was rooted in party principle and discipline, not personal loyalty or affinity. El-Rufai described their political paths as “parallel lines that will never meet,” illustrating a clear ideological and philosophical divergence. Vanguard News +1In a televised interview, El-Rufai said suggestions that he and President Tinubu were close friends or political allies before and during the 2023 election are mistaken. “There is an assumption that I was ever Tinubu’s friend. I was not,” he stated, emphasising that the extent of his involvement was tied to shared party decisions and internal arrangements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) rather than personal loyalty. The CableParty Loyalty Over Personal Ties El-Rufai explained that his support for Tinubu emerged from broader party considerations — including a long-standing understanding within the APC that political power should rotate to the South after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. He said this rationale guided his endorsement, not a personal bond with Tinubu himself. TheCable“As soon as Tinubu won the primaries, it is my principle that I fight for the candidate of my party in every election — whether I like the candidate or not,” El-Rufai said, stressing that once Tinubu became the party’s flag bearer, he committed to working for the party’s victory. TheCable Deepening Philosophical Divide While El-Rufai fulfilled what he described as his obligation to the APC in 2023, he noted that fundamental differences in governance philosophy and values have since widened the divide between him and the current administration. He framed the contrast as irreconcilable, explaining that their approaches to public service and governance are profoundly dissimilar. TheCable“I am in government to serve the public and deliver results, not to enrich myself or appoint cronies,” El-Rufai said, criticising what he sees as a departure from his own values and reinforcing his assertion that he and Tinubu are parallel lines that will never meet. The Cable El-Rufai also addressed speculation over a potential ministerial appointment under Tinubu’s government, noting that even if such an offer had materialised, he would have exited due to these ideological differences. The Cable Political Implications Ahead of 2027El-Rufai’s statements add nuance to evolving political alignments as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. His distancing from the Tinubu presidency — while maintaining loyalty to the APC during the last election — underscores the complexity within Nigeria’s ruling party and the wider political landscape. The Cable as political realignment continues across the country, El-Rufai’s articulation of principle over personal loyalty could resonate with segments of the electorate seeking clarity on leadership values and accountability.Sources:• Tinubu and I Are Parallel Lines That’ll Never Meet — El-Rufai — Vanguard News (Feb. 11, 2026)• El-Rufai: Tinubu and I never got along — I backed him on principle, not friendship — TheCable (Feb. 10, 2026) Vanguard NewsTheCable.
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