President Bola Tinubu has extended his warm wishes to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on his 65th birthday, praising his resourcefulness and intellect.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu commended El-Rufai’s contributions as an administrator, scholar, and politician.
The President commended El-Rufai for his “endeavours for democracy; his meritorious service to the nation, and mentorship of the younger generation.”
He acknowledged Mallam El-Rufai’s “role in the dialogues leading up to the formation of the APC and his contributions to the success of the party in the three consecutive elections of 2015, 2019, and 2023.”
“President Tinubu wishes El-Rufai good health and strength for continuous service to the nation.”
Nasir El-Rufai, who previously served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, held the position of Kaduna State Governor for eight years.
Once an ally of President Bola Tinubu, El-Rufai has recently emerged as a vocal critic of the current administration.
A member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), he is currently at odds with his successor, Uba Sani, accusing the governor of attempting to curry favor with the President.
On Tuesday, El-Rufai alleged that the relationship between President Tinubu and the northern region had deteriorated, cautioning that the President might face a similar political fate to that of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.