Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has explained why he supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, saying it was a political decision and not based on friendship. El-Rufai, who spoke during an interview with Trust TV on Monday, said he never had a close personal relationship with Tinubu and described claims of friendship as incorrect. We never had a personal relationship like the one I had with General Buhari,” El-Rufai said. He explained that his involvement in the process began after he was contacted by Islamic stakeholders from the South-West who wanted a Muslim presidential candidate from the region. “I was approached by certain Islamic stakeholders from the southwest to support the emergence of a Southwest Muslim presidential candidate.

Source: Nigerian Tribune February 10, 2026 15:17 UTC