In an apparent response to the comments attributed to the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s certificate from Chicago State University in the United States, the Mayor of Urhoboland and business entrepreneur has condemned El-Rufai for overreaching himself. He described El-Rufai’s remarks as uncharitable and unbecoming of a leader.
The Mayor issued a statement in Abuja on Sunday, criticizing the former Kaduna State governor. In the statement, he challenged El-Rufai to clarify whether he possesses any knowledge about the President’s Chicago certificate beyond the facts known to the global community, emphasizing that the certificate had become a tool used by opposition forces to tarnish the President’s reputation and integrity.
According to the Mayor, the President’s certificate has been exploited by detractors seeking to blackmail him, questioning El-Rufai’s motives in spreading half-truths for personal, rather than national, interests.
He queried why El-Rufai had chosen to obscure the truth and create division rather than focus on facts that benefit the nation.
The Mayor further highlighted the ongoing vilification of President Tinubu by a coalition of opposition forces, which he referred to as the “alliance for conspiracy.”
He pointed out that Mallam El-Rufai, a member of this alliance, had accused the President of failing Nigerians. He dismissed this claim as deceptive, urging El-Rufai to speak for himself, not for the entire Nigerian population.
The Mayor went on to ask El-Rufai when he came to the realization that the President had failed Nigerians, suggesting that El-Rufai’s critique could have been influenced by personal grievances, including his failure to secure a ministerial position in the current administration.
He further questioned if El-Rufai felt slighted because his son was included in the House of Representatives, a testament to the North’s representation in the current government.
The Mayor made it clear that the northern bloc is well represented within President Tinubu’s administration, with only disgruntled politicians complaining.
He specifically mentioned that the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in which El-Rufai operates, is merely a gathering of election losers, reflecting the personal interests of its members rather than those of the Nigerian people.
In addition, the Mayor challenged El-Rufai to account for his tenure as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He expressed disappointment over the sales of national assets, such as NITEL, Nigerian Airways, and ALSCON, which were sold at giveaway prices, to the detriment of Nigerian workers.
“The Nigerian public wants to move beyond the issue of the Chicago certificate, especially since the Supreme Court has ruled on the matter,” the Mayor stated.
“What Nigerians care about now are the policies and programs that will improve their daily lives. They are looking for tangible solutions that will put food on their tables and foster human and material development. We do not want more divisive politics, nor do we need figures like El-Rufai, who continue to focus on personal vendettas.”
The Mayor criticized El-Rufai’s alleged double standard, noting that when former President Muhammadu Buhari was in power, El-Rufai remained silent on the government’s shortcomings, only to criticize the current administration once he lost influence. He remarked that El-Rufai’s judgment of any administration appears to be directly tied to his personal interests and profits.
In closing, the Mayor stated that Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations, are united in support of President Tinubu’s administration, with his 2027 victory in no doubt. He told El-Rufai and his allies that there would be no vacancy in Aso Rock and that the President’s mandate would be renewed in the next election. He called on Nigerians to reject politicians like El-Rufai, who prioritize personal interests over the nation’s welfare.
“Let El-Rufai and his SDP wait for 2031. On President Tinubu’s mandate, we remain standing,” the Mayor declared, urging Nigerians to focus on national unity and development.
