On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Presidency reacted to comments from former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who expressed frustration over being excluded from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, suggested that El-Rufai was hurt by his rejection and should stop acting like a child upset over lost opportunities. Onanuga’s remarks came after El-Rufai claimed that Tinubu personally rejected him, despite his efforts to become a minister in the president’s cabinet. El-Rufai made these comments while appearing on Arise Television on Monday evening.
Responding to the former governor’s claims, Onanuga acknowledged that it was natural for El-Rufai to feel hurt, but he advised him to move on. In an interview with Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Onanuga said, “As a person, I think I will pity the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. He feels hurt that he was not made a minister. I think it is time for him to move on. He can’t continue to behave like a child, as if somebody stole his bread and he is crying.”
Onanuga further explained that while El-Rufai may feel disappointed by his exclusion, the president has no personal animosity toward him. He emphasized that El-Rufai should accept the outcome and stop publicly criticizing the president. Onanuga added, “He should forget about not being made a minister. He has been in public service since 1999; it’s time for him to move on.”
