‘We need a character like this’, Obasanjo speaks on why he thinks El-Rufai is a ‘near genius’

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday described Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai as a good learner, a character who can be trusted to hold a firm position on issues.

Obasanjo, who said he made women an important part of his cabinet when he was president, commended el-Rufai for doing the same thing.

The former President gave the commendation in Kaduna during a private visit to the governor, adding Kaduna remained a melting pot of all the ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Obasanjo, who also hailed the pan-Nigerian character of the governor’s cabinet, described himself as a son-of-the-soil having lived in Kaduna from 1959 to 1967 and built his first house at the Makera area of the town.

A statement by the Special Assistant to el-Rufai on Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Musa, quoted Obasanjo as saying that he was at the Mogadishu Battalion in Kaduna between 1959 and 1967, adding that his visit to Kaduna was like a home-coming.

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The former President, who said that the battalion was “the first to be Nigerianised” as it had soldiers from all over the country, expressed delight that El-Rufai had recreated the Kaduna of old because his state executive council reflected a mini Nigeria.

He saw him as one of the best persons to work with, describing him as a “near genius.”

Obasanjo said: “We need a character like this, a man that you know where you stand with him. Any job given to him will be well done.

“I made women to matter in my government. He has done the same in Kaduna. He is a very good learner.”

El-Rufai, while thanking the former president for coming to Kaduna to see things himself, said Obasanjo remained a mentor, and that he learnt many public service skills from the former President when he served in his government as minister.

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