On The Travail Of Mallam El-Rufai -By Abachi Ungbo

Nasir El-rufai made screaming headlines with the suspension of his confirmation as a minister alongside two other nominees by the senate which literally knocked the nation sideways. A whiff of his travail was in the air in the course of his screening with a strong hint dropped by a Senator from Kogi state over a petition against him which was parried by the Senate president.

The absence of security clearance was the formidable obstacle to his walk into the corridors of power- that was the ostensible reason the nation was made to feed on. The ministry of power was the supposed portfolio, which he had already commissioned a small team to help in the execution of the expected huge task of sorting out the nation’s power conundrum. He was most assured of his place in the president’s team just like the rest us.

Difficult to imagine the letdown and pain of betrayal that is gnawing away at the back of his mind. The absence of intervention from the Presidency certainly adds to his misery not least when he looks back at his contributions to the emergence of the president.

Since he came on the political scene he has cultivated friends and enemies almost in equal proportion. He never shies away from controversy and spewing out the content of his heart regardless of its unpleasantness. To his credit, he earned accolades notably from his role as F.C.T minister in protecting the integrity of the nation’s capital master plan. In fact, he remains the gold standard for performance to every minister of the F.C.T since his departure.

Though, the glittering record in office was not without huge smudge of corruption. His brilliance and intelligence are undeniable alongside the gift of garbs and guts all conduced in paving his path to political relevance.

As governor of Kaduna state, he made efforts to replicate the success recorded during his time as Minister through his urban renewal programme which changed the city centre at a staggering cost which has now placed the state in a huge swath of debt. Under his watch, the state recorded impressive IGR in addition to the of slew of reforms that were instituted.

So much about him and his conduct within the political space points to a telltale sign of Machiavellianism. His political journey has been characterized by his take-no-prisoners attitude- undisguised animosity towards opposition, lack of empathy, incendiary outburst and high amount of treachery. So also, is his insouciance to consequence of his actions, capacity for dissimulation and laser focus on personal ambition and interests.

Most recently, his religious chauvinism which was accentuated by a viral video that was unbecoming for a man of his learning and exposure. Anyway, it brought the quintessential el-rufai to the fore- who could use anything as a means to his personal ends.

Everything stands as an expendable in his path to power. Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo in his book “My watch” vol 20, pages 110-112 provides a compelling glimpse into the nature and character of the man- Mallam el-rufai. The history of his backstabbing is legendary enough to put anyone on the same political table with him in a state of utter unease.

So, he is particularly roiled by reputational crisis that is effectively triggered by excessive focus on power. And according to Friedrich Nietzsche “…. the love of power is the demon of men.” Power places its holder in a delusional state by subjecting them to a state of being superior to others and making them brutal against any perceived challenge to their power in whatever form.

Apparently, it was raw political intrigue that torpedoed his second coming as a Minister of the federal republic. And, the reason thrown in the public domain could well have been successfully dealt with, if he was really wanted. The present actors are acutely aware that they risk being outfoxed by him. And, if his antecedents are anything to by, they know his loyalty will be short-lived.

This is not the end of the matter. The real el-rufai will not allow the humiliation simply slide even if he is compensated- a massive fightback should be expected. His machinery will be in active mode in unravelling the culprits. Truth is, if he is ready to peel out the ugliness behind his glittering façade he would no doubt occupy a place in the pantheon of great leaders ever to grace the beautiful country called Nigeria.

Abachi Ungbo

abachi007@yahoo.com