A civil society organisation, Citizens Collective for Good Governance (CCGG), has attributed recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to what it describes as resentment over his exclusion from the federal cabinet.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its president, Dr. Gambo Abdulkadri, the group condemned El-Rufai’s remarks on national television, describing them as “vindictive” and “rooted in personal disappointment.”

El-Rufai, during an interview on Arise Television, claimed that President Tinubu would need a “miracle” to win re-election in 2027, citing alleged polling figures that show a 91 per cent disapproval rating.

The CCGG dismissed these claims as “fabricated,” accusing the former governor of peddling misinformation to settle political scores.

“The public outburst by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is nothing but the cry of a political actor whose ego was bruised when President Tinubu, in his wisdom, declined to reward him with a ministerial position,” Dr. Abdulkadri said.

He argued that El-Rufai’s change in posture was a clear indication that his political support for the president was never about national interest but driven by self-promotion.

The group credited President Tinubu’s administration with implementing difficult but necessary reforms across key sectors, including energy, agriculture, and education. It also cited ongoing efforts to revive the economy, attract foreign investment, and address infrastructural deficits.

“Within just over a year, President Tinubu has taken bold steps to reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory,” the statement said. “From dismantling the corrupt fuel subsidy regime to introducing reforms aimed at long-term stability, these actions point to a leader focused on future generations, not short-term popularity.”

El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State for two terms and served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under President Obasanjo, was accused by the group of leaving behind a legacy marred by insecurity and social division.

The CCGG also cast doubt on the authenticity of El-Rufai’s polling claims, referring to them as “phantom figures drawn from the depths of his discontent.”

They argued that support for President Tinubu remains strong across various segments of Nigerian society, even in the absence of a formal re-election campaign.

The group concluded by urging Nigerians to focus on issues of national importance rather than personal political grievances.

“El-Rufai should understand that being excluded from a cabinet position is not a betrayal — it is the president’s prerogative,” the statement noted. “Governance is not a reward scheme for political loyalty. It must be earned and justified by competence and necessity.”