Nasir El-Rufai’s recent comparison of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Cameroon’s long-ruling autocrat, Paul Biya, has ignited a firestorm of controversy in Nigeria. This calculated attack, laden with implications of authoritarianism, cannot be dismissed as mere political critique. It is a deliberate maneuver designed to undermine Tinubu’s presidency, sow seeds of public discontent, and bolster El-Rufai’s own political standing. This begs the question: is El-Rufai motivated by genuine democratic concern, or is this simply the bitter retaliation of a sidelined politician? The very comparison to Biya, a figure synonymous with decades of stagnant, oppressive rule, is a carefully crafted insult, aimed at portraying Tinubu as a nascent dictator. This inflammatory rhetoric, strategically deployed in a nation already weary of democratic shortcomings, serves only to escalate political tensions and fuel opposition narratives.
El-Rufai’s actions betray a pattern of opportunistic criticism devoid of genuine commitment to democratic principles. He loudly decried the hardships caused by Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidies and the naira’s float, conveniently forgetting his past advocacy for similar “bold reforms” when politically advantageous. Similarly, he positioned himself as an expert on insecurity during Tinubu’s struggles, seemingly oblivious to the rampant banditry that plagued Kaduna State under his own governorship. This selective outrage exposes El-Rufai’s hypocrisy: he roars loudest when excluded from the circles of power, invoking democracy and the people’s suffering as convenient shields for his personal ambition.
El-Rufai’s political trajectory is marked by a recurring theme of betrayal. He served as Obasanjo’s favored FCT Minister before turning against him. He enjoyed Yar’Adua’s patronage until claiming persecution and fleeing abroad. He relentlessly attacked Jonathan, branding him weak and incompetent. Even Buhari, his purported political mentor, did not escape his sharp tongue. This consistent pattern reveals a deeply ingrained tendency towards political opportunism, using alliances for personal gain and discarding them when they no longer serve his purpose. His attacks on Tinubu are not an anomaly, but rather a predictable manifestation of this ingrained political DNA.
The current assault on Tinubu follows a familiar script: align with power, exploit it to the fullest extent, then turn against it when ambition is thwarted. El-Rufai’s restless ambition, his refusal to accept a subordinate role, and his self-proclaimed intellectual superiority fuel this cycle of betrayal. The attacks are not rooted in genuine conviction but are meticulously calculated steps toward his own 2027 presidential aspirations. By painting Tinubu as a budding dictator, El-Rufai positions himself as the prophetic alternative, the courageous voice who dared to speak truth to power.
Nigerians must not be fooled by this charade. El-Rufai’s own governorship was marred by accusations of intolerance, authoritarianism, and the suppression of dissent – the very sins he now accuses Tinubu of committing. His current posturing as a champion of democracy is a thinly veiled act of hypocrisy. His criticisms are not genuine warnings; they are calculated rehearsals for his own political comeback. He thrives on betrayal, his loyalty lasting only as long as his relevance is assured.
El-Rufai’s attacks are not motivated by a desire to serve the Nigerian people but rather by a relentless pursuit of personal power. If he had secured a ministerial position in Tinubu’s government, the nation would not be subjected to this constant barrage of criticism. He would be in Abuja, defending the very policies he now condemns. El-Rufai is not a principled defender of democracy; he is a disgruntled politician locked out of power, banging on the gates and deceptively labeling it “truth.” Nigerians deserve better than to be manipulated by this cynical power play. They must see through El-Rufai’s self-serving charade and recognize him for what he truly is: a bitter, ambitious politician cloaking his personal agenda in the language of democratic concern.
