Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has bared his mind on the alleged political fight with President Bola Tinubu.

He said: “I was never Tinubu’s friend. We never had a personal relationship like the one I had with General Buhari.”

“I was approached by certain Islamic stakeholders from the southwest to support the emergence of a southwest Muslim presidential candidate.”

“That is how the discussions started. As governor of Kaduna and one of the founders of APC, I knew there was an understanding that after 8 years of Buhari, power would return to the south. It wasn’t about Tinubu; he was merely an accidental beneficiary.”

“It is a principle of mine to fight for the candidate of my party in every election, whether I like the candidate or not.”

“The fact that he emerged as the party’s candidate meant I would give everything to ensure he won.”

“We didn’t fall out; we didn’t find areas of agreement. I am in government to serve the public and deliver results not to enrich myself or appoint cronies.”

“The philosophy of this government is contrary to everything I’ve been taught as a Muslim, a northerner, and a Nigerian. They came to govern the cake, to enrich themselves. We are different people parallel lines that will never meet.”

“Even if I had accepted Tinubu’s publicly offered ministerial position, I would have left the government due to those fundamental differences in philosophy.”