President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, for the first time, publicly criticized former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, calling his administration “toxic” and commending Governor Uba Sani for reversing the state’s direction.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Rigachikun and a 300-bed hospital in Millennium City, Tinubu said:
“Uba Sani has performed wonders and changed the environment from a previous toxic, uncontrollable environment to a state of life, progress, and development. I say thank you, my comrade.”
The remarks follow months of political friction between Tinubu and El-Rufai, who recently left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Since his fallout with Tinubu, El-Rufai has accused the president of being behind the Senate’s refusal to confirm him as a minister.
In March, El-Rufai claimed he was betrayed and said he regretted supporting Tinubu, citing what he described as the president’s “Chicago cocaine and certificate forgery scandals.”
El-Rufai has also pledged to join opposition efforts to challenge Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Tinubu’s comments on Tuesday marked his first direct response to El-Rufai, drawing a contrast between Kaduna’s past under the former governor and its present under Governor Sani.
