Omokri Criticizes El-Rufai Over Comments On Lagos Rail Project

Former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has strongly criticized ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his remarks on the Federal Government’s funding of a rail project in Lagos State.  

Omokri accused El-Rufai of hypocrisy and described him as a “clever by half politician” frustrated by his exclusion from President Tinubu’s ministerial list.  In a statement shared via his X handle on Monday, December 30, Omokri recalled El-Rufai’s controversial decision to use public funds to pay herdsmen to curb killings during his tenure, a move he claims failed and led to more violence.  

Omokri stated, “Nasir El-Rufai is expressing his frustration at not being appointed a minister by attacking the Federal Government’s funding of a Lagos rail project. 

Under Buhari, Nigeria borrowed $2 billion to build a railway in Niger Republic. Did El-Rufai complain then? No. Yet, Niger has since turned hostile toward Nigeria.  

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“If we could build a railway for a foreign country, why shouldn’t the Federal Government invest in Lagos, which hosts 8% of Nigeria’s population and contributes 35% to our GDP? This city alone adds ₦44.17 trillion to our economy.”  

He further pointed out that previous administrations, including Jonathan’s, invested heavily in northern projects without opposition from El-Rufai. Omokri highlighted the $1.2 billion Abuja-Kaduna railway and $769 million for 165 Almajiri schools as examples.  

Omokri concluded by accusing El-Rufai of using personal grievances to attack a government he once sought to join.

“Losing out on being a minister should not make you so demented that you begin to attack a government you once begged to be a part of,” he wrote.