Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that he turned down former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as his preferred successor.

Obasanjo, who spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the Ajibosin Platform annual symposium, explained that El-Rufai was initially recommended by former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, for the presidency.

“El-Rufai was being pushed by Chidoka to succeed me when I was leaving office,” Obasanjo said, addressing Chidoka directly. “But I did not yield to the pressure. I told him El-Rufai needed to mature. Later, when he saw El-Rufai’s performance, he admitted I was right.”

El-Rufai previously served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises under Obasanjo and later as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (2003–2007). After leaving office, Obasanjo instead supported the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his successor.

Obasanjo’s revelation sheds light on the political calculations and mentorship dynamics within the administration at the time.