Obasanjo’s visit to ElRufa’i in Kaduna
The visit of former president Olusegun Obasanjo on December 11, 2019, to Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufa’i, his former DG, Bureau of Public Enterprises and Minister of FCT, has been given so many interpretations by different observers. Some linked it to the ”politics” of 2023 while others gave it other meanings.
Some people argued that Obasanjo, who has been a long time political “opponent” to Senator Bola Ahmad Tinubu, who is rumoured to be a 2023 presidential contestant, went to Kaduna in order to align himself with Governor El-Rufa’i. El-Rufai is also rumoured to be a presidential contestant that will likely pose the biggest threat to Tinubu’s ambition come 2023. To those who share this view Obasanjo will do every to stop Tinubu.
On this third argument one would say politics is a game of all possibilities especially in view of the fact that the issue of zoning of presidential office come 2023, has not been settled by both the governing APC and the opposition PDP. In my observation, from the political intrigues ongoing in the opposition PDP, if the governing APC concede power to the south the PDP will likely field a Northern candidate for its numerical advantage, in order to recapture power back to its fold. But however, If that political prediction becomes a reality the governing APC might likely be forced to field a Northern candidate in order not to be outsmarted by the opposition PDP. Even though governor El-Rufa’i has never even for once declared his intention to contest for the one number seat , his name has always been linked to presidential contest from 2007 to date by the Nigerian media and many political observers. It was (and or is) perhaps due to his enormous leadership potentials for the one number office in the land.
Permit me to say that I admired his enormous “courage” and “speed” in decision making. Even his worst enemies will agree with me that, he is a decisive leader. However, one must quickly add that, Governor ElRufa’i like every other human being is not “infallible”. His philosophy in governance, in my observation, is pursuing the ”ideal” no matter the ”pains”. It is on this philosophy that many people opined that, he lacks ``compassion” and or “empathy”.
The politics of 2023 is likely going to be very interesting. The question is: ``Who gets it? Only time shall tell!
Nurudeen Dauda, nurudeendauda24@gmail.com