The former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai’s conferment of chieftaincy title ceremony was shunned by his political associates, top allies in Ijebu, Ogun State.
The ceremony which took place on Saturday, December 16, 2023, had the former governor left alone as none of associates, past aides showed up to celebrate with him.
El-Rufai who left office barely seven months ago as governor of Kaduna State was conferred with the title of Gbobaniyi of Ijebuland by the highly revered Awujale of Ijebuland, HRM Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona on Saturday.
Governor Uba Sani who was installed by El-Rufai neither grace the ocasion, nor sent a representative, CAPITAL POST reports.
The governor’s absence might not be unconnected with the running battle with El-Rufai over political issues in Kaduna State. The duo started rift immediately In was sworn in and discover that El-Rufai handed empty treasury to him with spill over of huge debts.
Surprisingly Uba Sani’s female deputy governor, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe who previously deputised El-Rufai for eight years before she was recommended for Uba Sani was also conspicuously absent at the chieftaincy ceremony.
A palace source who spoke with our correspondent said: “The whole exercise lack excitement as the much expected Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani did not attend the ceremony.
“Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Commissioners, members of State House of Assembly and his former political aides were not there.
Expressing concerns, the source said: “I really sympathise with El-Rufai even as members of his political party, the All Progressives Congress were not on ground for him.”
El-Rufai posted on his X handle (formerly Twitter) announcing that he would be conferred with a chieftaincy title and invited the general public to attend his ceremony.
