El-Rufai Acknowledges Atiku’s Role in Obasanjo-Era Economic Reforms

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has praised ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his pivotal role in shaping economic reforms during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

Speaking during a condolence visit to the family of the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, El-Rufai highlighted Atiku’s leadership in overseeing the privatisation of national assets through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), which El-Rufai headed at the time.

“Nobody gives Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the credit for economic policymaking under the Obasanjo administration. Many of the things we did, we did under his leadership,” El-Rufai said. “People tend to forget history and only remember the negatives.”

His remarks mark a shift from his previous stance, as he had once accused Atiku of corruption and misinformation.

Atiku also shared the visit on social media, emphasizing the late Edwin Clark’s legacy of unity and nationalism. He urged Nigerian leaders to uphold the values Clark stood for, calling for inclusiveness and national cohesion.