The governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has ruled out vying for any post in the forthcoming general but he says only President Muhammadu Buhari can make him rescind the decision.

He disclosed his position on Wednesday in reaction to speculations that he would be the running mate to former governor of Rivers State and incumbent Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi in next year’s presidential poll.

El-Rufai spoke on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television. His words:

“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.”

“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,” he said when asked if Buhari will make him change his mind.

“I’m physically tired because I do take my work seriously. For 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.”

Aside from the issue of contest for the presidency, El-Rufai expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be the party to beat in next year’s exercise.

“I think Nigerians expect much more than we have done but if Nigerians reflect deeply and compare with the other party, we are still a better choice,” the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister said during the show.

“I believe that in 2023, the APC is going to win the presidential election as well as the majority of the governorship elections.”