Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that he turned down a suggestion to endorse former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor in 2007.
Speaking yesterday at a public event, Obasanjo recounted how former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had once proposed el-Rufa’i as a suitable replacement for him at the end of his tenure.
Recall that el-Rufa’i had served under Obasanjo’s administration first as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and later as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 2003 and 2007. When Obasanjo left office, he instead supported the Late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who eventually succeeded him.
At the event, Obasanjo playfully chided Chidoka for omitting the episode during his keynote address, saying: “Let him tell you; he didn’t mention that. He was pushing, when I was leaving government, that his friend, el-Rufa’i, should be brought in as my successor”.
Turning to Chidoka, who was among the panelists, Obasanjo asked in Pidgin English, “No be so (Is that not true)?” Chidoka nodded in agreement.
Obasanjo explained that he declined the recommendation because he believed el-Rufa’i needed more time to grow politically and personally.
“I did not yield to the pressure, Later, he asked why I didn’t agree. I told him el-Rufa’i needed to mature. Years later, after watching his performance, Chidoka came back to me and said, ‘You were absolutely correct”, he stated.
Despite the episode, the former president commended both men for their intellect and dedication, describing them as part of the team whose “special attributes” strengthened his administration.
Speaking further on leadership, Obasanjo stressed that character, experience, exposure, and proper training remain essential qualities of good leaders.
“It’s only in politics that I’ve found there’s no training for leadership”, he noted. “Even among armed robbers, I’m told there is apprenticeship. But in politics, there’s none. That’s not good enough”.
In his keynote speech, Chidoka said Nigeria’s persistent challenges stemmed from a culture of excuses and lack of accountability rather than absence of ideas.
“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind. Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas but the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors”, he stated.
He called for stronger accountability mechanisms, suggesting the creation of national dashboards to track government promises, budgets, and outcomes.
The convener of the symposium, Aare Olanrewaju Bakinson, said the event aimed to highlight how effective leadership shapes societies and nations.
Dignitaries at the event included Senator Shuaibu Salis (Ogun Central), the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, and former Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun.
