By Abigail Philip David
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has hit back at Reno Omokri, an ex-aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, labeling him a “political mercenary” who works for anyone willing to pay.
The exchange followed Omokri’s remarks accusing El-Rufai of frustration over not being appointed a minister in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. Omokri had criticized El-Rufai for questioning federal funding for a rail project in Lagos while defending similar projects under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Omokri’s Allegations
Omokri tweeted, “El-Rufai is being clever by half, attacking the funding of Lagos rail projects when he defended Buhari’s $2 billion railway to Niger Republic. Where was his voice then? Lagos contributes 35% of Nigeria’s GDP, while Niger Republic contributes nothing. El-Rufai’s criticism lacks credibility.”
Omokri also highlighted the Federal Government’s support for rail infrastructure during Jonathan’s administration, pointing to the $1.2 billion Abuja-Kaduna railway project.
El-Rufai’s Response
El-Rufai dismissed Omokri’s comments, referencing a past incident where Omokri allegedly used the pseudonym “Wendell Simlin” to link Lamido Sanusi, former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, to Boko Haram. El-Rufai described Omokri as a figure for hire.
Posting pictures on social media, El-Rufai wrote, “The curious lifecycle of Wendell Simlin, sometimes retained as a political mercenary by any paying government or individual.”
Political Reactions
El-Rufai’s remarks stirred debates within the political space. Some viewed his comments as indirect criticism of President Tinubu’s administration. Senator Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker, accused El-Rufai of hypocrisy, recalling his silence during Buhari’s alleged nepotism.
Sani tweeted, “Those silent during Buhari’s nepotism are now vocal because the current equation doesn’t favor them. Kaduna was an apartheid state for eight years under El-Rufai. Critique Tinubu if you wish, but El-Rufai lacks the moral standing to do so.”
The ongoing exchange underscores deep divisions within Nigeria’s political elite, reflecting tensions between past and present administrations.
