Bayo Onanuga Urges El-Rufai to Move On; stop “Crying Over Spilt Milk
Recently, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, urged Nasir el-Rufai to move on.
Specifically, he addressed the ongoing controversy regarding el-Rufai’s exclusion from the federal cabinet.
Onanuga described el-Rufai’s repeated grievances over the matter as unbecoming and likened them to the behavior of a “crying child.”
The controversy dates back to July 2023, when President Tinubu submitted his list of ministerial nominees to the Nigerian Senate for screening.
While el-Rufai’s name featured on the list, the Senate withheld his confirmation, citing petitions against him on security grounds.
This decision has since sparked public discourse, with el-Rufai offering his own perspective on the matter.
In a recent interview, el-Rufai dismissed the narrative that the Senate rejected him outright, instead suggesting that President Tinubu himself played a role in his exclusion.
The former governor claimed that Tinubu had previously urged him to set aside his future plans in favor of a ministerial appointment but later reneged on this commitment.
Reacting to these claims during an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, Onanuga criticized el-Rufai for what he described as “incessant complaints” and urged him to let go of the episode.
“Well, as a person, I pity the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.
Onanuga openly shared his disappointment about not being appointed as a minister, though he acknowledged that time has since passed. He highlighted that ministers were officially appointed in August 2023, stressing the need for him to move forward.
Accepting the situation, he recognized the importance of focusing on the future rather than dwelling on the past. By emphasizing the passage of time, he conveyed his readiness to embrace new opportunities and challenges ahead.
Onanuga urged that el-Rufai should stop behaving like a child, as if someone stole his bread. Instead, he should accept reality and move on, as the saying goes, “no use crying over spilled milk.”
While Onanuga acknowledged el-Rufai’s important contributions to President Tinubu’s electoral victory, he stressed the need for unity.
He asserted that exclusion from the cabinet should not justify hostility toward the administration. Instead, cooperation would benefit everyone.
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“It is natural for him to feel hurt and bad about being excluded.
However, as the president acknowledged in his recent tribute to him, Nasir actually played a significant role in helping to install President Tinubu.
Still, if he is not part of the government, that does not mean he must bring down the roof.
The president has nothing against him,” he added.
Onanuga also criticized el-Rufai’s alleged attempts to undermine the administration following his exclusion.
“I believe Nasir feels naturally hurt by his exclusion, which is why he is going everywhere campaigning against the president.
He pointed out that the man deeply resents being excluded from the moving train. Moreover, he actively refuses to release his grip, clinging firmly despite the situation. This resistance highlights his frustration and determination to stay connected.
The presidential adviser further urged el-Rufai to reflect on his long career in public service and focus on other endeavors.
Since 1999, he has served in public office, but his hurt began when he failed to receive a ministerial appointment. This situation likely explains his recent statements.
During an interview with Arise TV yesterday, Onanuga revealed that El-Rufai claimed the president blocked his appointment. This assertion adds a new dimension to the ongoing political tension.
Additionally, El-Rufai hinted at a possible departure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), complicating the party’s internal dynamics further.
As this situation develops, both parties must navigate their differences.
It remains uncertain whether El-Rufai will follow Onanuga’s advice to move beyond this episode. For now, the situation highlights ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s political elite as the Tinubu administration begins its tenure.
