Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, has alleged that some persons paid money to become ministers in the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, el-Rufai reiterated that Tinubu begged him to come and serve as minister, in a bid to solve the country’s perennial electricity challenge.
Asked during the interview if he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of the ministerial snub, el-Rufai said he did not “contest” for the position but was begged by the president to join his team.
“Yes, that’s what they say, but did I contest for minister? I know some that paid money before they put their names as ministers,” el-Rufai said.
“Mr President begged me, and even the whole world knows he begged me in Kaduna, and he asked me to come and work with him.
“I didn’t accept it until we met and talked with him. He told me that he wants me to tackle the issue of electricity.
“He said all past presidents have failed, and he wants to be the president that would make that electricity issue come to an end. Because of this challenge, I thought he was real.”
Asked if he regretted supporting Tinubu in 2023, he said he did not, adding that he is disappointed nonetheless.
On Monday, the former minister resigned his membership of the APC and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Before leaving the APC, el-Rufai had been critical of the ruling party and the Tinubu government.
In July 2023, Tinubu sent the list of ministerial nominees, including el-Rufai, to the senate for screening and confirmation.
However, the senate withheld the nomination of el-Rufai, Stella Okotete (Delta), and Danladi Abubakar (Taraba), citing security reasons.