Sobowale Reveals What El-Rufai Said To Tinubu, Says “Only Arrogant Man Can Say Such To A President”

 Arise News analyst Dr. Dayo Sobowale has criticized what he describes as the entitlement mentality of some Northern politicians, singling out former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for comments allegedly made to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Sobowale said the North has long maintained a belief in its right to dominate Nigeria’s leadership, a mindset that Tinubu challenged with his now-famous “Emilokan” slogan during the 2023 presidential campaign.

“Later Tinubu boldly, I dare say and audaciously too, said ‘EMILOKAN’, they listened to him and they put him there,” Sobowale stated. According to him, the slogan, meaning “my turn” in Yoruba was Tinubu’s strategic response to Northern attempts to retain power after President Buhari’s two terms.

However, Sobowale claimed that Northern leaders, particularly El-Rufai are now subtly trying to reassert control by reminding Tinubu of the political deal that secured his victory. “But I’m sure they are trying to remind him now that for us in the North, but for the Muslim-Muslim ticket, you wouldn’t be there,” he said.

He went further to criticize El-Rufai’s alleged statement to the President. “That because he is in power, he can do anything he likes. Only an arrogant man can say that to a sitting president and not expect consequences,” Sobowale remarked.

The comments shows growing tensions within the ruling political bloc as President Tinubu balances the expectations of his Northern allies with the political mandate he claims to represent.

Observers say the unfolding drama may shape future alignments and test the resilience of the current administration’s coalition.