To be clear, the term useful idiot is not an insult. It is the term used to describe political puppets. It is regarded as a Machiavellian technique, a calculated move to use others as tools for personal or political advantage without regard for their autonomy or awareness.


The notion that Tinubu is a master political strategist can be confirmed by how he chose el-Rufai as his
useful idiot. Tinubu saw it necessary to recruit el-Rufai for his campaign even though he was pained for not
being considered the VicenPresidential candidate and dared to leave the country immediately after his tenure. Thus, el-Rufai's lukewarm attitude during the campaign made them choose him as the perfect prey to play script for a useful idiot.


So, during the campaign, Tinubu courted el-Rufai the way he would court the attention of the most beautiful lady town. He lined up like a suitor to dance and catch his attention at all costs. Tinubu's attention to el-Rufai, like the suitor's attention to the lady, might be seen as deliberate and strategic, as he perhaps sees something unique or valuable in el-Rufai that aligns with his political or personal interests.


The way Tinubu courts el-Rufai, standing out from the crowd, mirrors the special treatment a gentleman might give to the most admired lady in the room, ensuring she feels distinguished and treasured.

Tinubu showed el-Rufai the respect he craved throughout their courtship. He even brought him into
the spotlight at Chatham House when no one expected. He visited Kaduna and begged him to change his mind and work with him. The adoring public was mesmerised by this newfound love between the most coveted lady in town and prince charming. Many saw it as love made in paradise.


For el-Rufai, he felt empowered to go after anyone that worked against his newfound love. He was so confident
to the point of assuring people that he would be Tinubu's goalkeeper— Chief of Staff—once they won the
presidency. At some point, he overcompensated his confidence by quickly turning it into arrogance. He
denigrated the northern elders, and when the campaign got tougher, he even took Buhari to court at the expense of his newfound love—Tinubu.


Who would have known this love would end like this?Well, many knew exactly how it would end. APC
knew he was dispensable because there were so many petitions against him. One standing order was the one
from the committee of Senator Sodangi from Nasarawa State that indicted him for misappropriation of
public funds in 2008 and recommended that he be banned from holding any public office in the
future. The designed strategy also served as a sweet revenge due to his unguarded utterances. In his book
The Accidental Civil Servant, El-Rufai wrote a 4-page story about how Atiku prevented Tinubu from
scamming the federal government. In May 2019, during his war of words with Tinubu, there were newspaper reports and videos of him saying he
would never agree to be a Vice President to a drug baron or corrupt politician. In the same month, he
suggested that Lagos godfatherism could be ended as he did in Kaduna and said he was unapologetic to
those who felt offended. Some would say his behaviour is just politics, and I hope they will agree what Tinubu
did to el-Rufai is politics too.


The argument about competence is a non-issue because the president cannot be compelled to work with those he does not want to. And by listening to his senate presentation objectively, it was clear he was not
the right fit to be the Minister of Energy. He clearly failed to demonstrate a track record of education or experience in the energy sector. He said he had degrees in quantity survey and law, a diploma in computing, and master's degrees in business and public administration. His experience was in construction consultancy before
joining the public service as the DG BPE, Minister and Governor. If this was a job interview, he did not articulate his competence. Some say he has the political will, but should that be a prerequisite for being a Minister of energy? With el-Rufai's antecedents in Kaduna, for making public services unaffordable for the
common person, providing cheap energy is not one of his skills.


The well-orchestrated plan included another useful idiot, Senator Khalid Ibrahim, from the PDP. He was played like el-Rufai too. He was the one that stood up to commend el- Rufai for his good work in Kaduna
and even asked the senate members for him to bow and go. The story behind Khalid's emergence as a
senator is an emotional one. His constituents voted for him in protest against el-Rufai's government. His
local government, Soba, is one of the most bandit-ravaged areas in Kaduna. Of course, the non- confirmation has debunked his false
praises about el-Rufai. If he were wiser, he would have kept quiet instead of saying what is untrue, but
this is how they select them—useful idiots.


Following el-Rufai's non-confirmation, he went on the radio to say no one could ever mentor him before leaving the country.
Obviously, everyone knows it is just another gimmick. He will come running whenever Tinubu decides to
be benevolent. If that time comes, I recommend he works under the tutelage of Vice-President Shettima
because he has a track record of taming people like el-Rufai, including some past Governors.

N.A.

https://saharareporters.com/2023/08/16/tinubus-useful-northern-idiots-nasir-aminu

In May 2019, during his war of words with Tinubu, there were newspaper reports and videos of Nasir El-Rufai saying he would never agree to be a Vice President to a drug baron or corrupt politician.

In the same month, he suggested that Lagos godfatherism could be ended as he did in Kaduna and said he was unapologetic to those who felt offended. Some would say his behaviour is just politics......"

Racoon:
Nasir El-Rufai is evil because his evil and satanic antecedents were fuelled by the conservative northern culture that tolerate impunity and lawlessness by people in leadership positions in addition to the extreme religious indoctrination.

IconicR:
😲 nicely written. Elrufai will strike at the right time, I know him very well

IconicR:
😲 nicely written.
Elrufai will strike at the right time, I know him very well

Kukutente23:
Elrufai's case is one who fell on his own sword. His preferred candidate was Amaechi.
The main reason he shelved his disdain for Tinubu and chose to support him to the detriment of his two main political benefactors whom he shares ethnicity with, was the allure of being a partner with Tinubu on a Muslim- Muslim ticket. He saw that as his crowning moment as an apostle of Muslim political supremacy not only in northern Nigeria, but all over the country.
He went against Buhari by rallying the Northern govs against Buhari's intent to choose his successor. He thought a place as VP will be assured by that move. When he saw that tinubu chose from the North East instead, he rallied same govs to meet with Buhari in a bid to convince him to ask Tinubu to choose from the NW instead or face electoral backlash from the north. Unfortunately by then, Buhari was no longer interested in what anyone was doing politically and simply refused to be used to influence Tinubu one way or the other. Tinubu on the other hand did not stop massaging Elrufai's ego at any chance he got. This again made Elrufai fancy himself as either SGF or Chief of staff especially given the plea of Tinubu that he shelve everything to play a role in his govt. His biggest disappointment came with Akume as SGF and the CDS being a southern Kd Christian. By then, it was too late to change direction as he was being primed for the new minister of Energy. The petitions were just perfect excuses to ease him out of the govt.
Elrufai thought he could play with the big boys like Atiku, Tinubu etc. But he's now been shown his place as a neophyte.
I know he will try to fight back but I think if he's wise, he should just let things be and move on. Jagaban no be Buhari o.

Kukutente23:
Elrufai's case is one who fell on his own sword. His preferred candidate was Amaechi.
The main reason he shelved his disdain for Tinubu and chose to support him to the detriment of his two main political benefactors whom he shares ethnicity with, was the allure of being a partner with Tinubu on a Muslim- Muslim ticket. He saw that as his crowning moment as an apostle of Muslim political supremacy not only in northern Nigeria, but all over the country.
He went against Buhari by rallying the Northern govs against Buhari's intent to choose his successor. He thought a place as VP will be assured by that move. When he saw that tinubu chose from the North East instead, he rallied same govs to meet with Buhari in a bid to convince him to ask Tinubu to choose from the NW instead or face electoral backlash from the north. Unfortunately by then, Buhari was no longer interested in what anyone was doing politically and simply refused to be used to influence Tinubu one way or the other. Tinubu on the other hand did not stop massaging Elrufai's ego at any chance he got. This again made Elrufai fancy himself as either SGF or Chief of staff especially given the plea of Tinubu that he shelve everything to play a role in his govt. His biggest disappointment came with Akume as SGF and the CDS being a southern Kd Christian. By then, it was too late to change direction as he was being primed for the new minister of Energy. The petitions were just perfect excuses to ease him out of the govt.
Elrufai thought he could play with the big boys like Atiku, Tinubu etc. But he's now been shown his place as a neophyte.
I know he will try to fight back but I think if he's wise, he should just let things be and move on. Jagaban no be Buhari o.