Former President Olusegun Obasanjo disclosed on October 24, 2025, that he declined a proposal to endorse former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as his successor in 2007, citing the need for El-Rufai to mature. Speaking at the second annual Ajibosin Platform symposium in Abeokuta, themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance,” Obasanjo recalled how former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, then 34, recommended El-Rufai, who served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and later FCT Minister under Obasanjo.
Obasanjo, who supported Umaru Musa Yar’Adua instead, noted that Chidoka later acknowledged El-Rufai’s need for maturity after observing his performance. He praised Chidoka, El-Rufai, and others for their contributions to his administration, emphasizing character, exposure, and experience as key leadership qualities. He criticized the lack of leadership training in politics, unlike other fields.
Chidoka, the keynote speaker, attributed Nigeria’s challenges to a lack of systemic governance, urging accountability through national dashboards and strong institutions. Symposium convener Aare Olanrewaju Bakinson highlighted leadership’s role in shaping society. Attendees included Senator Shuaibu Salis, Oba Saka Matemilola, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, and former Ogun First Lady Olufunsho Amosun.
