Public affairs analyst, Usman Okai Austin, has berated former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent political comments, describing him as a bitter ex-governor desperate for relevance.
Austin, in a statement on Tuesday, urged El-Rufai to stop acting like God, warning that only Nigerians, not any individual, will determine the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.
His reaction followed El-Rufai’s claim that President Bola Tinubu would not win re-election in 2027.
Describing El-Rufai as “pure sour grapes” and “ego-driven,” Okai wrote on his Facebook page: “El-Rufai doesn’t care about Nigeria, he cares about Nasir El-Rufai. Let Nigerians decide Tinubu’s fate in 2027, not El-Rufai, who talks like God and tries to usurp the people’s power.”
The analyst further asserted that El-Rufai’s political influence had been systematically eroded by his successor, Governor Uba Sani, noting that the former governor had miscalculated by assuming Sani’s loyalty would be unconditional after endorsing him.
“This is the same El-Rufai who manipulated his childhood friend, Uba Sani, into becoming his Chief of Staff, then weaponised him against Shehu Sani, despite the fact that Uba and Shehu are brothers.
“Blood proved thicker than water,” he wrote.
Describing El-Rufai’s fall as “poetic justice,” Okai painted a picture of a man once feared, now discarded.
“Once a kingmaker, he is now a discarded pawn — used, dumped, and left seething with rage.”
He also referenced El-Rufai’s controversial ministerial nomination, which was rejected during Senate screening, as an event he termed an “unprecedented disgrace.”
Read Also: PPP Summit 2025: Under Tinubu’s administration, PPP agreements remain sacrosanct – DG ICRC
Adding insult to injury, Uba Sani reportedly disregarded El-Rufai’s preferred nominee for Kaduna’s ministerial slot and instead nominated his candidate.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Okai noted, appeared to have completely sidelined the former governor.
“There were no calls, no reconciliation. Just cold, calculated disregard,” Okai wrote.
El-Rufai’s reaction, according to the analyst, has been one of public outbursts and media interviews.
Questioning if anyone is still listening, Okai said, “Now, El-Rufai is on a revenge tour, granting interviews, crying betrayal, and desperately trying to explain himself.”
The post further criticised El-Rufai’s role in turning Kaduna into Nigeria’s first Muslim-Muslim ticket state, accusing him of fuelling religious imbalance and overseeing widespread insecurity.
“He had the audacity to advise Tinubu to replicate his divisive strategy.
“But Tinubu outplayed him. Shettima got the VP slot. The ministerial dream collapsed.”
“But Tinubu outplayed him. Shettima got the VP slot. The ministerial dream collapsed.”
Okai also recalled El-Rufai’s history of political conflict, citing his attacks on former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Musa Yar’Adua, and his habit of replacing political allies with loyal family members.
“Had Tinubu made him a minister, or had Uba Sani remained his puppet, El-Rufai would be singing his praises today.
“But now? He’s just another bitter ex-governor, thrashing in the political gutter, screaming for relevance.”