#YNaijaInterview: Mallam Nasir el-Rufai talks politics on Twitter with Alkasim Abdulkadir

by ‘Ifreke Inyang [@Ifreke]

This Friday, our weekly YNaija Interview was with Mallam Nasir El-rufai, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The interview was conducted by Alkasim Abdulkadir, an international freelance journalist. Here’s an excerpt:

@YNaija: Welcome to this week’s edition of the #YNaijaInterview. Our guest today is Mallam Nasir @elrufai. Good morning from all of us at YNaija.

@YNaija: From our findings you were an integral part of Gen. Abdulsalami’s govt, sir what motivated you to join him. @elrufai #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija Gen Abdussalami invited me to join a team of six advisers on economic and political transition for a 2-week brainstorm session…

@elrufai: @YNaija ..It ended up being an 11-month assignment. I agreed because Abdussalaam assured us that he WILL hand over, not play any games…

@YNaija: Did you expect the national challenges you saw in those 11 months of Gen. Salami’s tenure? @elrufai #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija I was taken aback at the extent of the challenges. Did what we could – briefings for the incoming administration. #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: #BPE, if you had another chance what will you do  differently about Nitel/Pentascope affair?  @elrufai #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija Other than stay put in BPE and see our plans for NITEL through, none. Successor in BPE failed to monitor Pentascope #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: As FCT Minister you took on the ‘high and mighty’ to make Abuja a better City, what was the magic? @elrufai #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija It was just anger at seeing a great deal going awry. We just did not want Abuja Lagosified. We hate disorder in FCT. #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: In the book Power, Politics and Death, author insinuates you were considered for the Presidency in ’07, were you  @elrufai #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija I don’t believe Obasanjo considered me for presidency even for a second, but many people like Yar’Adua thought so. #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija The reason Yar’Adua went after me, & GEJ continued the tradition is the thought that I am a presidential aspirant #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija And in politics, the more one denies something the more one is suspected. So I just defend myself against attacks. #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: We have heard the refrain several times that Mall. Nasir @elrufai is a ‘Presidential material’, ‘he wants to be President’ #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija Anyone of 30+ years with SSC is presidential material. I know the burdens of the office & no desire for that burden.#YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: Your Column details solutions to the ills of our nation, what then is the major hindrance to getting it right? @elrufai #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija We need competent & focused leaders who believe in doing what is right no matter what, to implement these ideas. #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija Look at our 36 state governors that control over 50% of the nation’s funds, how many are worth being councillors? #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: Sir, @elrufai In spite of the thoughts of Yaradua, its alleged that you still personally endorsed him to become President #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija Obasanjo chose Yar’Adua. We supported the decision to encourage him to leave office. I believed he would do well. #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija Yar’Adua was from a distinguished background. I thought he would make a decent president. We were awfully wrong! #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija I did not endorse Yar’Adua. I campaigned for him in FCT. He lost to Buhari. He wanted me jailed & killed in return. #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: @elrufai, sir, it is for this ‘wrong’ judgement that some ppl are insisting that you owe Nigerians an apology… #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija I apologize when I wrong a person. I did not force anyone to vote for Yar’Adua. So apologise for what, to whom? #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija I did not campaign for Yar’Adua on behalf of Nigerians. We all made our choices when voting. In FCT, he lost! #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija I was exiled by Yar’Adua. I am persecuted by GEJ. For serving this country 24/7 for 9yrs. Who has apologized to me? #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: Was the OccupyMovement and fuel subsidy protests, our tipping point as a nation? @elrufai what are your thoughts sir? #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija I think so. The Occupy Movement united Nigerians across classes, ethnicity, age, religion & gender like no other. #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija And I really think that the next protest (there will be) will be better coordinated, & not reliant on the unions. #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: @elrufai Some CSOs believe that there was no intellectual substance to the #OccupyProtests, do you agree, sir #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija It was the awareness raised during the protests that led to the expose on the Fuel Subsidy Fraud & the unsure SURE. #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija It was the efforts of the OccupyNigeria that led to so many helter-skelter committees in the Petroleum Ministry. #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: Sir, were there any documented threats to your person? Threats could have been from property owners not Yaradua? @elrufai #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija I have had threats throughout my public life and after. Even yesterday, I received one. That’s nothing new. #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija Since returning home on May 1, 2010 I met with some Yar’Adua ministers, advisers, etc & they confirmed the threats #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: Have you notified the Security Agencies on the threats, sir? @elrufai #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija No way. The security agencies are probably sources of some of the threats. I have private protection & pray to God. #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: Is SURE-P another case of ‘policy somersault’ why do you think the FG is unsure of SURE-P @elrufai #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija It was a scam from day 1. There is no fiscal surplus (cash) anywhere to fund it. It was an unprecedented falsehood. #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: Is the CPC built around the towering personality of one person? Is Gen. Buhari still the best option for 2015? @elrufai #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: Dr. Babangida Aliyu recently made a call for the review of the Revenue formular, what’s your take sir? @elrufai #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija Everyone is entitled to such a call, but the governors should first justify the use of the monies they are wasting #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija I believe each state is capable of being economically viable if the distortions in incentive structures are ended #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: @elrufai Agro-allied sector holds the key to the Northern Economy, is this statement true? Do you own a farm? #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija Agriculture is 42% of Nigeria’s GDP & employs nearly 60% of the people. I have a farm in Abuja. Mining also key. #YNaijaInterview

@YNaija: @elrufai Is the CPC a sectional Party? Any hope for ‘a handshake across the Niger’ Sir? #YNaijaInterview

@elrufai: @YNaija The 2011 elections indicate that CPC has a lot of work to do in the South. A handshake across Rivers Niger & Benue key YNaijaInterview

 

 

One comment

  1. LOOK AT THAT FOOL, HE HAS A FARM, I DONT REALLY UNDERSTAND THIS PEOPLE, ARE THAT NATURALLY LAZY TO EXPLORE THEIR NATURAL RESOURCES IN THEIR REGION FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND CEASE DISTURBING THE SOUTH. WHO IS FOOLING WHO? YOU JOURNALIST ALWAYS POKE YOUR NOSES IN A WRONG PLACE AND WITH WRONG PEOPLE.

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cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail