During an interview with Premium Times, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, defended President Bola Tinubu regarding the failed confirmation of former Kaduna State Governor, El-Rufai, as a Minister.
Bagudu stated that while Tinubu nominated El-Rufai for the appointment, lobbying the National Assembly after his rejection would violate the separation of powers between the executive and legislative arms of government.
He emphasized that Tinubu, as President, respected the decision of the lawmakers not to confirm El-Rufai, citing constitutional constraints.
Although Tinubu’s nomination was not confirmed due to lack of security clearance, Bagudu highlighted that the president followed due process and nominated El-Rufai objectively, showing his willingness to have him in his government.
Bagudu expressed his wish for El-Rufai’s confirmation and refrained from speculating on why Tinubu didn’t lobby the National Assembly, stating that Tinubu’s nomination itself reflected his confidence in El-Rufai.