Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that he turned down a proposal to anoint Nasir el-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, as his successor in 2007, citing the need for el-Rufai to gain more maturity before assuming the presidency.
According to a report by TheCable on Friday, October 24, 2025, the former president made this revelation while speaking at the second annual symposium of the Ajibosin Platform held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The event, themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance,” brought together political figures and thought leaders to discuss the qualities that define effective leadership in Nigeria.
Obasanjo, who led Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, said that Osita Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation, had recommended el-Rufai to succeed him at the end of his tenure. However, he said he declined the suggestion because, in his assessment, el-Rufai needed additional experience and time to mature politically.
“Osita once came to me and said, ‘Sir, we have someone capable of succeeding you — Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.’ I told him that Nasir is indeed brilliant and hardworking, but he needs more time to mature,” Obasanjo was quoted as saying.
El-Rufai served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and later as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during Obasanjo’s administration between 2003 and 2007. His tenure in both roles was marked by bold reforms and controversies, particularly in the area of urban renewal and privatization.
Ultimately, Obasanjo endorsed the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who went on to win the 2007 presidential election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former president’s latest remarks have rekindled public interest in Nigeria’s political succession history and the internal deliberations that shaped the nation’s leadership transition nearly two decades ago.
Obasanjo emphasized that leadership selection requires careful judgment, noting that choosing successors should be based not only on intelligence but also on character, patience, and emotional maturity.Read – More
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