President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, on his 65th birthday.
Tinubu commended el-Rufai for his “endeavours for democracy and meritorious service to the nation”.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, Tinubu commended the former Kaduna governor for his role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“President Tinubu celebrates Mallam El-Rufai on this occasion and commends his endeavours for democracy; his meritorious service to the nation, and mentorship of the younger generation,” the statement reads.
“The President acknowledges Mallam El-Rufai’s role in the dialogues leading up to the formation of the APC and his contributions to the success of the party in the three consecutive elections of 2015, 2019, and 2023.
“President Tinubu wishes the former Kaduna governor good health and strength for continuous service to the nation.”
The president’s felicitations come amid the political friction between his camp and the former Kaduna governor.
In the build-up to the 2023 elections, El-Rufai was one of the northern leaders who insisted that power must return to the south after the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The former Kaduna governor supported the presidential ambition of Tinubu.
After Tinubu won the election, he was nominated as a minister but the senate withheld his confirmation, citing security concerns.
The development was interpreted by political analysts as a move to whittle down his influence in the presidency.
Despite initially retreating from the political scene, he recently resurfaced, unleashing a series of scathing critiques of the APC and the administration of Tinubu.
He is also known to constantly repost on X critical of the Tinubu administration.
Recently, there have been unconfirmed reports that el-Rufai is seeking another political tent ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former governor also recently alleged that there may be plans to arrest and torture him upon his return to the country.
