You talk like God, Nigerians’ll decide Tinubu’s fate not you – Okai tells El-Rufai
Public affairs analyst, Usman Okai Austin, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent attacks on President Bola Tinubu, saying El-Rufai has no moral authority to decide the president’s political fate in 2027.
Okai’s remarks, shared via a Facebook post on Tuesday, described El-Rufai as “pure sour grapes” and “ego-driven,” accusing him of placing personal ambition above national interest.
“El-Rufai doesn’t care about Nigeria. He cares about Nasir El-Rufai,” Okai wrote. “Let Nigerians decide Tinubu’s fate in 2027, not El-Rufai, who talks like God and tries to usurp the people’s power.”
The sharp rebuke comes after El-Rufai declared that Tinubu would not win re-election in 2027, a statement Okai dismissed as bitterness rooted in the former governor’s dwindling political relevance.
Okai painted a picture of a man who once wielded influence but has now been sidelined, particularly by his successor, Governor Uba Sani, whom El-Rufai reportedly underestimated.
“This is the same El-Rufai who manipulated his childhood friend, Uba Sani, into becoming his Chief of Staff, then weaponised him against Shehu Sani, despite Uba and Shehu being brothers,” Okai wrote. “But blood proved thicker than water.”
Describing El-Rufai’s political downfall as “poetic justice,” Okai argued that the former governor’s reign of fear in Kaduna has ended, replaced by calculated sidelining and humiliation.
He referenced El-Rufai’s failed ministerial nomination, blocked during Senate screening, as a turning point, compounded by Uba Sani nominating his own candidate for Kaduna’s ministerial slot — ignoring El-Rufai’s preference.
Okai accused Tinubu of strategically distancing himself from El-Rufai. “There were no calls, no reconciliation. Just cold, calculated disregard,” he stated.
According to Okai, El-Rufai has responded to his diminishing influence with public outbursts and media interviews, desperately seeking relevance.
“Now, El-Rufai is on a revenge tour — granting interviews, crying betrayal, and desperately trying to explain himself,” Okai noted.
The analyst also criticised El-Rufai’s controversial role in introducing Muslim-Muslim tickets in Kaduna, accusing him of stoking religious divisions while overseeing widespread insecurity.
“He had the audacity to advise Tinubu to replicate his divisive strategy. But Tinubu outplayed him — Shettima got the VP slot, and El-Rufai’s ministerial dream collapsed.”
Okai concluded by reminding Nigerians of El-Rufai’s long history of political conflicts and betrayals, including clashes with former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, as well as his habit of replacing allies with loyal family members.
“Had Tinubu made him a minister, or had Uba Sani remained his puppet, El-Rufai would be singing his praises today,” Okai concluded. “But now? He’s just another bitter ex-governor thrashing in the political gutter, screaming for relevance.”
