Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that he turned down the idea of choosing Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, as his successor when he was leaving office in 2007. Obasanjo made this revelation during the second edition of the annual Ajibosin Platform Symposium held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

El-Rufai served as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) during Obasanjo’s administration before being appointed as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 2003 to 2007. At the end of his tenure, Obasanjo chose the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his preferred successor, rather than El-Rufai.

Speaking at the event, Obasanjo recalled that former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, had suggested El-Rufai as a worthy replacement. Obasanjo, however, said he refused the recommendation because he felt El-Rufai was not yet ready for such a huge responsibility. “He was pushing that his friend, El-Rufai, should be my successor,” Obasanjo said, turning to Chidoka, who confirmed the claim by nodding in agreement.

According to Obasanjo, his decision was based on the belief that El-Rufai needed more time to mature politically and personally before taking on the role of president. “I told him El-Rufai needs to mature,” Obasanjo recounted, adding that years later, Chidoka admitted that the former president’s judgment had been correct after observing El-Rufai’s subsequent performance in leadership roles.

Obasanjo’s revelation has stirred renewed discussions about leadership choices and political grooming in Nigeria, highlighting how early mentorship and maturity play crucial roles in shaping capable successors for national leadership.