Whatever informed Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s decision to make such an accusation against the presidency and yet, failed to properly lay the blame in the appropriate quarters, is probably why the president doesn’t take him seriously in the first place. He likes to pride in his supposed relationship with the president but does not realise that the man relates to him with extreme circumspection.
I do not have any business with his insinuations, which are now being given life by several other people in the party. What I have a problem with is the assumption that he had the president’s ears or that he had the capacity to convince the president on some issues.
For a man with almost unfettered access to the president but would rather put his thoughts into writing and still find a way to leak it, even I would not be convinced by his rather exaggerated opinions. He might think his submissions were convincing but actually meant nothing to the man.
Therefore, the fact that the president seemed convinced, when El-Rufai spoke to him was essentially his own opinion or reading of it, which might not have reflected the reality. However, whenever the president is convinced, he not only acknowledges it, he is quick to say so.
I’ll give an example. Just one.
At the height of insecurity around 2020/2021, which necessitated calls by a majority of Nigerians for a change of the former security chiefs, a certain governor from the south of Nigeria had allegedly met Buhari, privately.
The governor for whom Buhari was believed to have huge respect, was said to have done a very serious and thorough analysis for the president on why the service chiefs must go, including allaying fears of coup, which was though impossible and even if, the service chiefs, he contended, portended more danger, having been there for some time with loyal GOCs across the country.
After he was done, the president got up, picked the piece of paper containing the governor’s analysis, folded it, and straight into his agbada’s pocket. He then looked at the governor and said, “This is between me and you and if it leaks, I’ll hold you responsible.” This was in December of 2020, and by January 26th, 2021, Buhari, who had ignored all calls, including from the National Assembly, removed the service chiefs and appointed new ones.
What this meant was that the president trusted that governor. He listened to him and acted as advised. Mr. El-Rufai, if the president didn’t take your advice as you thought he did, it was probably because he didn’t trust your words, and your loyalty, for him, was in doubt. To that extent, assuming he was convinced was just you massaging your ego.
Conversely, attempts to take this election battle and worries to the president as if he was expected to just hand the APC victory, is nothing but counterproductive. You guys already sound like the losing party. Perhaps, some of you should start talking more.
