ESV Podar Yiljwan Johnson, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Plateau state chapter, has maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Kaduna state governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai are on good terms.
El-Rufai’s recent return to the political space has sparked serious controversy following his meetings with opposition party chieftains and wide consultations with prominent politicians in the country.
Political pundits believed that El-Rufai’s recent moves signalled his interest in the 2027 presidency, defection to another political party and possible disapproval of President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Interestingly, the former governor of Kaduna state was one of the politicians in the northern region who worked for the emergence of Tinubu during the 2023 election. However, his silence over his controversial ministerial appointment sparked concerns in the polity.
In an exclusive phone interview with TimesNow.com.ng on Sunday, May 5, Comrade Podar Johnson described the perceived rift between El-Rufai and President Tinubu as false.
The former APC aspirant, however, urged Tinubu to ensure fairness in his appointment.
The APC chieftain stated thus:
In another development, TimesNow.com.ng reported that, amid criticism of his previous government, El-Rufai said on Monday, April 15, 2024, that he does not want to be addressed as a godfather in Kaduna.
Recall that the incumbent governor, Uba Sani, raised an alarm on Sunday, March 31, that the state was heavily indebted.
Sani disclosed that his administration inherited a debt of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 billion contractual liabilities from the previous administration led by El-Rufai, causing a clash between the governor and the Kaduna APC women leader, Maryam Suleiman.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
