Governor Nasir El-Ruffai of Kaduna State has stated that if President Muhammadu Buhari insists, he will only run for the presidency in 2023 as a presidential aspirant or as a Running mate to the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi.

El-Rufai insisted that he has no intention of running for president or serving as Amaechi’s running mate, as has been widely speculated on social media.

Speaking on Channel Television’s Politics Today, Kaduna State Governor stated that he is tired and needs to rest, and that he has no plans to return to politics after leaving office next year.

He said Amaechi was free to run for the presidency but maintained that President Buhari is the only one who can convince him to join the race.

“I’ve said over and over that I’m not a contestant for any office. I’m not aspiring for anything. If Governor Rotimi Amaechi is interested in running for any office, he has the right to do so. But I’m not running for anything and I’m not going to be on his ticket,” he said.

Asked if he would maintain this stand if President Buhari asks him to run for the President or be Amaechi’s running mate, he added, “That would be a different conversation. I’ll explain to him why I don’t think it’s a good idea but of course, if he insists, I will. But I’m tired.

“I’m physically tired because I do take my work seriously. The last eight years, I’ve worked myself flat out and I’m not young anymore.

“I’ll be 63 next year. So I prefer to look at other options to contribute to the development of my country but of course I didn’t want to run for Governor but the President insisted so if he insists that I do something I have so much regard for him and his judgement that I’ll do it even reluctantly.”

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