By Parrot Newspaper 
El-Rufai: I’m Pained I Supported Tinubu Despite His Cocaine, Certificate Forgery Scandals
By Ricky Awodi • March 15, 2025
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has expressed deep pain over his support for President Bola Tinubu, citing the latter’s past controversies involving drug trafficking and certificate forgery.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Mr. El-Rufai admitted that he and others backed Mr. Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election despite being aware of his alleged cocaine scandal and Chicago State University certificate forgery allegations.
> “We all know about his issues in Chicago, but we thought if he could replicate his work in Lagos for Nigeria, let’s support him. However, he failed,” Mr. El-Rufai stated.
Disappointment in Tinubu’s Leadership
Mallam. El-Rufai noted that his initial support for Mr. Tinubu stemmed from the president’s record as Lagos State governor (1999–2007), hoping he would implement similar reforms at the national level.
> “What pains me is that the government we supported and had confidence in would do well, because we saw what Tinubu did in Lagos despite his challenges,” he lamented.
However, Mr. El-Rufai believes that the Tinubu-led administration has not lived up to expectations, leading to his frustration and regret.
The Cocaine and Certificate Scandals
The drug trafficking case linked to Mr. Tinubu resurfaced ahead of the 2023 election when U.S. court documents revealed that he forfeited $460,000 to the U.S. government in 1993 after being accused of narcotics-related financial transactions.
Similarly, the controversy over Tinubu’s academic records became a major political issue in 2023 when opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar approached a U.S. court to compel Chicago State University (CSU) to release Mr. Tinubu’s records. Documents released raised doubts about the authenticity of his degree certificate, further fueling public debate.
Political Fallout and Future Implications
Mr. El-Rufai’s remarks signal a growing rift within Nigeria’s political elite, especially among those who played key roles in Mr. Tinubu’s victory. His public regret may also embolden other former allies to criticize the administration’s performance openly.
As Nigeria grapples with economic and governance challenges, the ripple effect of these scandals could shape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. Whether Mr. El-Rufai’s statement leads to further cracks within the ruling party remains to be seen.
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