Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has once again made it clear that he refuses to engage in the theatrics of Nigerian politics, emphasizing that he does not belong to the class of politicians who put on a façade.

El-Rufai’s comments came in response to a Twitter post by Ira Habib, who commended the ex-governor for his sincerity after reading his memoir Accidental Public Servant. Habib praised El-Rufai’s authenticity, suggesting that only those genuinely committed to Nigeria’s progress would have him in their cabinet.

El-Rufai acknowledged the compliment but took the opportunity to reaffirm his stance, saying, “Truly, I don’t know how to pretend. Being a Nollywood actor in governance is for some others, not for me.”

The comment was likely aimed at several unnamed politicians in the country, whom El-Rufai appeared to criticize for playing political games rather than focusing on the nation's welfare.

El-Rufai’s statement is the latest in a series of public exchanges, including a recent fallout with Daniel Bwala, an aide to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The former governor has also publicly criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming a lack of internal democracy within the party. He expressed his frustration, noting that no party organs have met in over two years, and suggested that the APC has become “a zero-man show.”

Bwala responded to El-Rufai’s comments, accusing him of pursuing a "vengeance mission" instead of resolving his grievances through diplomacy. He also described El-Rufai's criticism as unpatriotic and warned that it could give opposition forces a chance to capitalize on the discontent within the ruling party.

Further weighing in on political dynamics, El-Rufai shared a quote from former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, which recounted the difference between opposition rhetoric and the responsibilities of governance: “In opposition, it matters what you say. In government, it matters what you do. And saying is a lot easier than doing.”

Source: Guardian Nigeria