Obasanjo: I Declined El-Rufai as Successor Due to Immaturity

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that he refused to endorse former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor in 2007 because he considered him not mature enough for the role.

Obasanjo made the disclosure in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the Ajibosin Platform annual symposium themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance.”

The former president explained that former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had suggested El-Rufai as a potential successor, but he rejected the idea.

Under Obasanjo’s administration, El-Rufai served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises before being appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007. When Obasanjo left office, he instead supported the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to succeed him.

Chidoka, who delivered the keynote address at the symposium, recounted how El-Rufai once introduced him to Obasanjo at age 34—a connection that later led to his appointment as Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Playfully interrupting Chidoka’s speech, Obasanjo said, “He didn’t tell you that when I was leaving office, he was pushing that his friend El-Rufai should be made my successor. Isn’t that true?” To which Chidoka nodded in agreement.

Obasanjo continued, “I didn’t accept the idea because I believed El-Rufai needed more time to mature. Years later, Chidoka came back to me and said, ‘You were right—El-Rufai needed to mature.’”

Despite this, Obasanjo praised both Chidoka and El-Rufai for their talents and contributions, describing them as individuals with “special attributes” that added value to his administration.

Speaking on the theme of leadership, Obasanjo emphasized that good leaders must possess character, experience, exposure, and proper training. He lamented the lack of structured leadership training in Nigerian politics, saying, “Even among armed robbers, there’s apprenticeship. But in politics, there’s none—and that’s not good enough.”

In his address, Chidoka attributed Nigeria’s persistent challenges to what he termed “the politics of excuses,” urging a shift toward accountability and measurable governance.

He said, “Leadership is not defined by charisma or speeches but by the systems it builds. Nigeria doesn’t lack ideas—it lacks institutions strong enough to sustain progress beyond their founders.”

He called for the creation of national accountability systems to track government promises, budgets, and outcomes.

Convener of the symposium, Aare Olanrewaju Bakinson, said the event was designed to highlight the vital role of leadership in national development.

“Leadership is not just about power; it’s about responsibility, vision, and service,” he stated. “We aim to explore how ethical leadership can drive development and strengthen governance.”

Notable attendees 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.