“I Won’t Leave This Podium Until You Agree to Work With Me” — Flashback Video of Tinubu’s 2022 Appeal to El-Rufai Resurfaces After EFCC Detention

A video clip from the 2022 presidential campaign of President Bola Tinubu has resurfaced online, drawing renewed public attention in the wake of the recent detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

The footage, widely circulated on social media platforms in recent days, captures a moment during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign when Tinubu publicly appealed to El-Rufai to remain actively involved in national politics beyond the completion of his gubernatorial tenure.

 

The renewed interest in the clip comes amid heightened political tensions and intense public discourse surrounding El-Rufai’s ongoing interrogation by anti-graft authorities. For many Nigerians, the resurfaced video underscores the once-close political alignment between the two prominent APC figures and highlights how swiftly political fortunes can shift.

 

The 2022 Campaign Appeal in Kaduna

 

The now-viral video dates back to a campaign stop in Kaduna during the build-up to the 2023 general elections. Tinubu, then the presidential candidate of the APC, was speaking at the Kaduna Investment Programme titled “Building a Resilient Economy,” held at Arewa Hall in the Kaduna State capital.

 

Addressing dignitaries, party members, and supporters at the event, Tinubu lavished praise on El-Rufai, describing him as a visionary leader whose intellectual depth and administrative competence were assets not only to Kaduna State but to the nation as a whole.

 

“As a visionary governor that you are, we are proud to be associated with what you are doing,” Tinubu said at the time. “The future is set up for Kaduna State and the country at large.”

 

In what many observers described as a dramatic and heartfelt moment, Tinubu publicly urged El-Rufai to reconsider any plans to leave public service after his tenure as governor ended in 2023.

 

“I am particularly begging El-Rufai not to run away for additional degrees after his tenure,” Tinubu declared. “If you leave me on this podium, I will continue to campaign here, begging El-Rufai not to run away from Nigeria in 2023 because we need your creativity, resilience and ability to turn things around at this critical time.”

 

The line that has since captured widespread attention—“I won’t leave this podium until you agree to work with me”—was interpreted by supporters as a strong endorsement of El-Rufai’s political relevance and a signal of the role he could potentially play in a Tinubu administration.

 

El-Rufai’s Response

 

Responding to the appeal, El-Rufai struck a conciliatory tone, assuring the audience that he would not completely withdraw from public life.

 

“I promise to stay even on a part-time basis,” the former governor said, drawing applause from the crowd.

 

At the time, El-Rufai had hinted that he might return to academic pursuits after leaving office, a move that would have marked a temporary departure from frontline politics. Tinubu’s public plea was therefore seen as both strategic and symbolic, aimed at reinforcing party unity and projecting a strong team ahead of the presidential election.

 

Political analysts had interpreted the exchange as evidence of mutual respect and political synergy between the two leaders, both of whom had significant influence within the APC.

 

Focus on Economic Revival

 

Beyond the personal appeal to El-Rufai, Tinubu also used the Kaduna platform to outline key elements of his economic agenda should he win the presidency.

 

He emphasised the importance of improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria, pledging to create an enabling environment for investors and entrepreneurs. Tinubu also highlighted the need for stable power supply and efficient electricity distribution as critical pillars for economic growth.

 

“We will prioritise ease of doing business, and ensure steady power supply and distribution,” he assured participants at the investment forum.

 

The event itself was designed to showcase Kaduna’s economic reforms under El-Rufai’s leadership, particularly in areas such as infrastructure development, regulatory improvements, and investment promotion. Tinubu’s commendation of the Kaduna model was widely interpreted as an endorsement of El-Rufai’s governance style.

 

Political Reactions to the Resurfaced Clip

 

The re-emergence of the video has sparked varied reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape. Supporters of both men have described the clip as a reminder of the unity that characterised the APC’s 2023 campaign efforts.

 

However, critics have seized on the footage to question the current state of relations between Tinubu and El-Rufai, particularly in light of recent political developments.

 

Some opposition figures have suggested that the contrast between the 2022 camaraderie and the present circumstances reflects deeper fractures within the ruling party. Others argue that the legal processes involving El-Rufai should be viewed independently of past political alliances.

 

Political commentators note that Nigerian politics is often fluid, with alliances shifting in response to changing power dynamics, legal battles, and policy disagreements.

 

The EFCC Detention and Broader Context

 

El-Rufai’s recent detention by the EFCC has generated significant public interest, given his stature as a two-term governor and former minister. While the anti-graft agency has not publicly detailed all aspects of the case, the development has further intensified scrutiny of the former governor’s time in office.

 

The EFCC, established to combat financial crimes and corruption, has in recent years pursued investigations involving high-profile political figures across party lines.

 

Observers say the resurfaced video adds a layer of political intrigue to the unfolding situation, as it revives memories of campaign promises and alliances formed during a critical period in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

 

A Snapshot of a Political Moment

 

For many Nigerians, the clip serves as a snapshot of a defining moment in the 2022 campaign season—a time when political leaders rallied together under a shared platform and vision.

 

At the Kaduna event, Tinubu’s appeal to El-Rufai was not merely a personal request but a public affirmation of the governor’s perceived value to a prospective administration. It highlighted the strategic importance of experienced political actors in shaping national governance.

 

Whether the resurfaced footage will have any tangible impact on current political calculations remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that it has reignited conversations about loyalty, power, and the evolving dynamics within Nigeria’s political elite.

 

As events continue to unfold, the flashback stands as a reminder of how quickly political narratives can shift—from moments of open admiration and partnership to periods of uncertainty and legal scrutiny.

 

In Nigeria’s ever-evolving political theatre, yesterday’s campaign promises often resurface in unexpected ways, inviting both reflection and debate.