Bashir el-Rufai, one of the sons of Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has taken to Twitter to describe some presidential aspirants in the upcoming 2019 general election as a “bunch of jesters”.
He made the comment in reference to the ambition of former Deputy Governor of the CBN, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, notable motivational speaker, Fela Durotoye and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.
Moghalu had shared a photo of the trio after a meeting organised to work out an alliance towards 2019.
He captioned the photo: I had a productive meeting with my fellow presidential candidates. At the end of the day, we want the same thing: A Nigeria of tomorrow that is much better than today.
Durotoye also shared similar photos and captioned them,“1: Recognising that at the core of our challenges as a nation is the failure of leadership;
“2: we affirm, that as the new face of visionary leadership for our country, we are collectively stepping in to fill the leadership vacuum, and offer leadership at this momentous juncture.
“3: We affirm that collectively, we are committed to the process of building a United Front to mobilize our people to lead the change we desire during the 2019 general elections;
“4: We understand that Unity is a process, and not an event, and as such, we undertake to effect necessary steps towards consolidating on the process of building a united front based on shared vision and ideas;
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“5: Towards this end, we are in agreement that internal party processes towards producing eventual party candidates and flag bearers should be allowed to reach its logical conclusion;
“6: We are committed to step up the process of building a united front once party candidates have emerged; & shall continually hold consultations & broker conversations with our parties towards ensuring that we are able to present a United Front towards the 2019 general elections
“7: Finally, we know that the 2019 general elections will be a historically decisive one; we know that the conditions are ripening for an electoral process with outcome that can be revolutionarily transformative.
“8: We embrace this process of the 2019 election as a revolution.
“IN CONCLUSION: Recognising the crises we face as a people, and understanding that the collective leadership failure of the current ruling establishment is responsible for this failure”
Durotoye added that the “Visionary Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT)” meeting was attended by Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, Comrade Eragbe Anslem, Sowore Omoyele, Fela Durotoye, Tope Fasua, Sina Fagbenro-Byron, Jaye Gaskia, Ahmed Buhari, Mathias Tsado, Charlyboy, amongst others.
But responding to the photo on Wednesday, el-Rufai’s son derided the new politicians.
“Look at these bunch of jesters,” he said.
“They say politics is a game of numbers. These jokers actually believe they are more in number.”