By Frank Tietie
–Opinion–
Kaduna State’s former Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been endorsed by Frank Tietie, a Nigerian lawyer and social commentator, for his unwavering commitment to progressive values. Tietie’s endorsement is rooted in El-Rufai’s consistent advocacy for two critical issues: state police and resource control.
El-Rufai’s track record as a public administrator and politician has been marked by consistency and predictability. In 2022, he stood firm against pressure from his own party, the APC, to support a Northern presidential candidate, instead advocating for power to shift to the South. This move demonstrated his commitment to fairness and equity in Nigerian politics.
Moreover, El-Rufai took bold action against the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Naira redesign policy, which aimed to diminish the prospects of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the then APC presidential candidate from Southern Nigeria. He successfully halted the policy, which had caused widespread hardship and even death.
Tietie argues that El-Rufai’s actions have earned him the respect and admiration of millions of Nigerians, who see him as an innovative public administrator, a sagacious politician, and a leader with broad appeal across ethno-religious divides.
El-Rufai’s advocacy for state police and resource control resonates with leaders and citizens across Nigeria. He believes that establishing a state police system would politicize policing issues, making governors accountable for the safety of their states. His call for resource control also aligns with the interests of the Niger Delta people, who seek to optimize the benefits of natural resources to improve their living standards.
Tietie concludes that El-Rufai embodies the qualities of a sincere, effective, capable, innovative, and principled leader. His commitment to progressive values and his willingness to challenge the status quo make him an unlikely hero in Nigerian politics.
