Abdullahi Sule: Governors not responsible for non-confirmation of el-Rufai as minister

Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, says the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) had no hand in the events that culminated in the non-confirmation of Nasir el-Rufai as one of President Bola Tinubu’s ministers.

In August 2023, the senate withheld el-Rufai’s confirmation as minister over security clearance.  

On January 5, 2025, el-Rufai denied that he had defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following months of speculation on his political future.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Wednesday, Sule said el-Rufai remains a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). 

He added that matters pertaining to el-Rufai’s nomination by the president and subsequent rejection by the senate are outside the purview of the PGF and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

“El-Rufai has not left our party; he is still part of our party,” Sule said.

“What led to el-Rufai’s nomination, what led to his rejection by the senate or by the security agencies, to be honest with you, are not issues we discussed either at the Progressives Governors’ Forum or even the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

“They are not issues because what doesn’t concern us, we can do nothing about it.”

Sule noted that decisions regarding ministerial appointments are the exclusive preserve of the president and other authorised agencies.

“It is the prerogative of Mr President to nominate whoever should be his minister, and he nominated,” he added.

“Also, there are agencies, including the national assembly, that either confirm or reject, and they rejected.”

On the possibility of the APC winning another presidential election, Sule dismissed any concerns, saying he remains confident in the party’s prospects.

“I have said, with due respect, that I am not scared. I have also stated that the performance of the party depends not only on its achievements at the central level but also at the state level,” the governor added. 

“Elections are not held solely at the central level; they take place in states, various wards, and units.

“So, if you look at the performance of the current governor, you can’t say there’s any reason to be scared.”