2023 presidency: I’ll Contest Alongside Amaechi If Buhari Insists, Says El-Rufai

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, says he will “reluctantly” contest the 2023 presidency in a joint ticket with Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, if President Muhammadu Buhari insists.

El-Rufai spoke on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television.

Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, several politicians have declared their ambition for the number one seat while some are still making consultations.

Amaechi, former Rivers governor, has been rumoured to be interested in running for president.

Asked about the rumoured presidential ambition of Amaechi and himself as vice-president in a joint ticket, el-Rufai confirmed that the minister of transportation is interested in being president.

The Kaduna governor added that he has repeatedly said he is not interested in any political position in 2023.

“I have said it over and over but I guess the trust in politicians is very low. Nobody believes me. I have said over and over that I’m not a contestant for any office. I’m not an aspirant for anything,” he said.

The Kaduna governor said he is tired of public life, but not tired of serving his country, stressing that he is “physically tired” owing to the works carried out as a governor.
“I’m tired. I’m not tired of serving the nation. I’m just physically tired because I do take my work seriously and in the last seven to eight years, I have worked flat out,” he added.

“I’m not young anymore. I will be 63 next year so I prefer to look at other options to contribute to the development of my country.
“But of course, as you said, I did not want to run for governor, the president insisted that I should run, if the president insists I should do something I have so much regard for him and his judgement that I will do it even reluctantly.