Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai has given reasons for his alleged withdrawal of interest to serve as a minister under President Bola Tinubu.
He was also said to have recommended Jafaru Ibrahim Sani who served as commissioner in three ministries – Local Government, Education and Environment in Kaduna State – as his replacement.
The report came following the move by the Senate not to confirm El-Rufai, and two other nominees – Stella Okotete from Delta State and Sani A Danladi from Taraba State.
Recall that the Senate under Senator Godswill Akpabio, as the President, confirmed 45 out of 48 nominees submitted by Tinubu.
The Red legislative Chamber said El-Rufai, Okotete, and Danladi were not confirmed due to security checks.
But, a report on Friday quoting sources in the Presidency said the ex-governor, who is a staunch supporter of the President, has declined the offer to serve as a minister in the administration.
El-Rufai reportedly assured Tinubu that he will continue to contribute his quota to national development as a private citizen.
The report said the former governor “needed time to focus on his doctorate programme at a university in The Netherlands” and assured the president that he would find Sani “very useful and resourceful” in the government.