ABEOKUTA, Nigeria — Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that he declined a proposal to endorse former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai as his successor in 2007, saying the former minister “needed to mature” before aspiring to lead the country.
Obasanjo made the revelation on Friday during the second annual symposium of the Ajibosin Platform in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The event, themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance”, featured former aviation minister Osita Chidoka as keynote speaker.
El-Rufai, who served as the director-general of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and later as minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007 under Obasanjo, was among the rising political figures in the administration’s final years.
According to Obasanjo, Chidoka had approached him towards the end of his presidency, recommending el-Rufai as a potential successor.
“Let him tell you,” Obasanjo said, interrupting Chidoka’s presentation.
“He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, el-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor.”
Chidoka confirmed the account, prompting Obasanjo to elaborate.
“I did not yield to the pressure,” the former president said.
“Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person; why didn’t you agree?’ I said el-Rufai needs to mature. You remember? When I left government and, many years later, he saw the performances of el-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”
Obasanjo eventually endorsed the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who went on to win the 2007 presidential election under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former president commended both Chidoka and el-Rufai for their “special attributes,” which he said contributed significantly to the achievements of his administration.
Speaking on the qualities of leadership, Obasanjo emphasised the importance of character, exposure, experience, and training in governance.
He lamented that politics remains one of the few fields where there is little formal preparation for leadership.
“It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership,” he said.
“Even among armed robbers, I was told there is apprenticeship. But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough.”
