Tinubu’s Cabinet Is a Joke — El-Rufai Blasts President, Regrets Supporting Him

Former Kaduna State Governor and ex-Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nasir El-Rufai, has launched a blistering attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing it as a national tragedy marked by a bloated and underperforming cabinet.

Speaking during a political programme on Arise News on Monday, El-Rufai said Tinubu’s current team lacks the competence and technocratic expertise needed to tackle Nigeria’s mounting challenges.

“Look at his cabinet — it’s a joke. The largest in Nigeria’s history, yet maybe only five people in there can be called real ministers,” El-Rufai declared. “Twenty years ago, when I was a minister, we had people like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Oby Ezekwesili. Who in this cabinet matches that calibre? There is simply no quality.”

The former governor admitted he shares in the blame for what he now calls the “tragedy” of Tinubu’s government, saying he supported the president during the 2023 elections based on Tinubu’s legacy as Lagos State governor between 1999 and 2007.

“I supported him because I believed in his Lagos legacy. He was inclusive — he brought in professionals like Yemi Osinbajo, Wale Edun, and appointed Igbos and Hausas to key roles. But now? This is a disaster,” El-Rufai said.

The outspoken politician expressed deep regret, vowing to work with others to reverse what he described as Nigeria’s dangerous trajectory under the Tinubu administration.

“I feel like I owe Nigeria a duty to correct this mistake. I’m 65, I should be retiring, but I cannot rest knowing I helped bring in a government that is hurting Nigerians. If we don’t reverse course, this country will be destroyed,” he warned.

El-Rufai also revealed the longstanding frosty relationship between him and President Tinubu, despite belonging to the same political party.

“I was never close to Tinubu. In the party, I was a ‘Buhari boy’, he had his boys. My loyalty was with Baba Bisi Akande. Tinubu never liked me,” El-Rufai disclosed.

Nonetheless, he said he set aside personal differences to help deliver Kaduna for Tinubu during the presidential election.

“That was my duty as a party man,” he concluded.

El-Rufai’s remarks have added fuel to the growing political storm surrounding Tinubu’s leadership and the performance of his administration.