Turks in former President Olusegun Obasanjo are converging in Dubai this weekend in commemoration of the birthday of former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Nasir El-Rufai. El-Rufai, who is currently abroad, was considered a member of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s kitchen cabinet, having served as the head of the privatisation agency and later minister of the Federal Capital Territory.The former Director General of The Bureau of Public Enterprises, turned 50 February 16
A member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), whose spell with the government began under the transition government of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, where he served as an adviser in the Transition government, El Rufai’s birthday bash is expected to bring together the who’s who in former Obasanjo regime and it is expected the occasion would be used to restrategise for the 2011 and chart a way forward for Nigeria.
It is expected that former chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu would be in attendance amongst other young northerners and politicians.
It must be recalled that El Rufai who came under heat during the regime of Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua has reportedly declared his support for Acting President Jonathan and expressed desire to back him for presidency if he shows good leadership qualities before then.
“If Jonathan shows real leadership over the next few months, many of us will campaign for him to be our president, and I think Nigeria and the West Africa sub-region will be the better for it,” El-Rufai reportedly said.