Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has said that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is still nursing resentment after being left out of Tinubu’s ministerial appointments.
El-Rufai was initially nominated for a ministerial role but was eventually dropped after the Senate failed to clear him.
Since then, he has become increasingly critical of Tinubu’s government and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a recent interview, El-Rufai claimed that it was Tinubu, not the Senate, who decided against his appointment.
READ ALSO: El-Rufai criticized for accusing Tinubu of betrayal over ministerial snub
However, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Onanuga suggested that El-Rufai should move past the disappointment.
“I feel for former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. He is clearly unhappy about not being appointed as a minister, but at this point, he needs to let it go,” Onanuga said.
He criticised El-Rufai’s reaction, likening it to that of a child sulking over a lost privilege.
“You can’t keep behaving like someone who had his candy taken away. What’s done is done, and he should stop crying over spilt milk,” he added.
While acknowledging El-Rufai’s contributions to Tinubu’s election victory, Onanuga pointed out that the President has already recognized his efforts.
“It’s understandable that he feels sidelined, but the President has publicly acknowledged his role. The fact that he wasn’t given a ministerial position doesn’t mean he should try to bring everything crashing down.”
READ ALSO: I’m still in APC, going nowhere – El-Rufai
According to Onanuga, Tinubu holds no grudges against El-Rufai, but the former governor’s continued criticism stems from personal disappointment.
He advised El-Rufai to move forward, noting that he has been in public service since 1999 and should now focus on other pursuits.
