Obasanjo: Why I rejected El-Rufai as successor in 2007

Obasanjo: Why I rejected El-Rufai as successor in 2007

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that he declined a proposal to endorse former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, as his successor in 2007, citing concerns over his readiness for the presidency.

Obasanjo made the disclosure on Friday while speaking at the second annual symposium of the Ajibosin Platform held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The event, themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance,” drew political stakeholders and thought leaders from across the country.

The former president recounted how Osita Chidoka—then a young reformist and later Minister of Aviation—had recommended el-Rufai for the top job. El-Rufai, who served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and later as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under Obasanjo, was widely regarded as one of the administration’s key technocrats.

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“Let him tell you,” Obasanjo said, interrupting Chidoka’s speech. “He was pushing that his friend, el-Rufai, should succeed me. I did not yield to the pressure. I told him el-Rufai needs to mature. Years later, he came back to say, ‘You were absolutely correct.’”

Despite rejecting the proposal, Obasanjo praised both Chidoka and el-Rufai for their contributions to his administration, describing them as individuals with “special attributes.”

He also used the platform to highlight the urgent need for structured leadership development in Nigeria, lamenting the absence of formal training for political leaders.

“It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership,” Obasanjo said. “Even among armed robbers, I was told there is apprenticeship. But in politics, there is none. That’s not good enough.”

The symposium underscored the growing call for intentional leadership grooming as Nigeria prepares for future transitions in governance.

Obasanjo: Why I rejected El-Rufai as successor in 2007