Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that he declined a proposal to install former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor in 2007, citing the latter’s lack of maturity at the time.
Obasanjo made this disclosure on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the annual symposium of the Ajibosin Platform, themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance.”
The former president explained that the suggestion came from former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, who recommended El-Rufai for the top job. El-Rufai had served under Obasanjo’s administration, first as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and later as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 to 2007.
Obasanjo eventually endorsed the late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua as his preferred successor when he left office in 2007.
During the event, Chidoka—who delivered the keynote address—recounted how El-Rufai had once recommended him to Obasanjo when he was 34 years old, a move that led to his eventual appointment as Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Reacting playfully during the session, Obasanjo teased Chidoka for not mentioning the part where he pushed for El-Rufai to succeed him.
“Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said.
Turning to Chidoka, who was seated among the panelists, he asked, “No be so? Meaning, is that not true?” The former minister nodded in affirmation.
Obasanjo then explained that he turned down the recommendation because he believed El-Rufai needed more time to mature politically.
He said, “I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person, why didn’t you agree?’ I said El-Rufai needed to mature. You remember? When I left the government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”
Despite this, the former president commended both Chidoka and El-Rufai, describing them as individuals with “special attributes” who played important roles during his administration.
Speaking further on leadership, Obasanjo stressed that character, exposure, experience, and training were critical qualities for effective governance.
He said, “It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership. Even among armed robbers, I was told there is an apprenticeship. But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough.”
In his keynote speech, Chidoka attributed Nigeria’s challenges to what he called a culture of excuses and the “politics of alibi.”
“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind. Moral conviction must translate into the everyday machinery of governance—rules, routines, and institutions that make competence predictable and corruption difficult. Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas; it is the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors,” he said.
He called for a shift from rhetoric to accountability-driven governance.
“We must therefore make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results: measure by building national dashboards and accountability systems that track every promise, every budget, every outcome. Monitor by strengthening the institutions that evaluate government performance and expose complacency,” Chidoka added.
Convener of the symposium, Aare Olanrewaju Bakinson, said the event aimed to highlight the critical role leadership plays in shaping national development.
“Leadership is not just about power; it’s about responsibility, vision, and service. As we explore this theme, we’ll examine the qualities of good governance, the impact of leadership on development, and strategies for fostering ethical leadership,” he stated.
Among the dignitaries present were the Senator representing Ogun Central, Shuaibu Salis; the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola; the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege; and former Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, among others.
