A public affairs analyst Usman Okai Austin has urged former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to allow Nigerians to determine President Bola Tinubu’s political future in the 2027 elections.
Okai’s remarks, shared in a Facebook post on Tuesday, were in response to El-Rufai’s recent claim that President Tinubu stands no chance of winning re-election. El-Rufai, now affiliated with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), was described by Okai as “ego-driven” and “bitter.”
“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 analyst claimed El-Rufai’s political influence has weakened since leaving office, largely due to a falling-out with his successor, Governor Uba Sani. Okai said El-Rufai expected loyalty from Sani, whom he helped install as governor, but misjudged the political dynamics.
He accused El-Rufai of having previously used Uba Sani against political rival Shehu Sani, despite the familial ties between them, adding, “Blood proved thicker than water.”
Okai described El-Rufai’s political decline as “poetic justice,” saying he had gone from a kingmaker to a sidelined figure. He also referenced El-Rufai’s failed ministerial nomination, which was rejected during Senate screening—a development he called an “unprecedented disgrace.”
According to Okai, Tinubu has since distanced himself from El-Rufai and ignored the former governor’s preferred nominee for Kaduna’s ministerial post in favor of Uba Sani’s candidate. “There were no calls, no reconciliation. Just cold, calculated disregard,” he wrote.
He characterized El-Rufai’s recent media appearances as a “revenge tour,” filled with grievances and attempts to stay relevant.
Okai further criticized El-Rufai’s political legacy, accusing him of stoking religious tensions in Kaduna by introducing a Muslim-Muslim ticket and advising Tinubu to replicate the strategy. “But Tinubu outplayed him,” Okai added.
He concluded by citing El-Rufai’s history of political conflict and power plays, arguing that his current outbursts stem from being shut out of power. “Now he’s just another bitter ex-governor, thrashing for relevance,” he said.
