Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has voiced strong criticism against his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of deviating from its founding principles and failing to deliver effective leadership.
Speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Abuja, El-Rufai described the political situation in Nigeria as a “national emergency” and called for urgent reforms.
El-Rufai expressed concern over the state of governance and the declining quality of political parties, particularly the APC.
He lamented the lack of internal democracy and the absence of functional party structures, stating, “I no longer recognize the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing.
You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show.” This, he argued, reflects a deeper issue of disorganization and negligence within the party.
The former governor further criticized the leadership emerging from political parties, attributing it to the unqualified delegates involved in the nomination process. He stated, “You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders.
This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today.” According to El-Rufai, the low standards for delegates and candidates undermine the potential for strong and capable leadership in the country.
El-Rufai also called for political parties to adopt higher standards when selecting their candidates. He argued that the constitutional minimum requirement of a secondary school certificate should not be the sole criterion for party nominations. This, he explained, would ensure that only competent and capable individuals are entrusted with leadership roles.
Reflecting on the founding goals of the APC, El-Rufai recalled that the party was originally created to tackle corruption, rebuild the economy, and enhance national security. However, he expressed disappointment that these objectives have been abandoned over time. “The problems that led to the creation of the APC remain unresolved, but I no longer believe the APC is interested in addressing them. The distance between me and the party is widening,” he admitted.
El-Rufai also shifted focus to the broader political landscape, criticizing opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party for their internal issues. He accused unnamed actors of attempting to destroy opposition parties from within. “There are internal mercenaries in the PDP, hired and motivated to destroy the party. The Labour Party is also facing similar issues. Peter Obi himself told me, ‘I don’t know what’s happening in the party I contested with,’” he revealed.
According to El-Rufai, this internal sabotage of opposition parties is part of a deliberate agenda to weaken political alternatives in the country. He warned that without strong opposition, democracy in Nigeria could be at risk.
El-Rufai also cited a recent poll indicating that 75% of registered voters might abstain from the 2027 elections, a figure he described as alarming. He warned that this level of voter apathy could lead to serious consequences. “This is dangerous. For those of us who lived half our lives under military rule, we know what it is. We don’t want a military rule, but we also don’t want civilians behaving like the military in their babbar riga and suits,” he stated.
To address these challenges, El-Rufai urged opposition parties to put aside their differences and form a united coalition to challenge the ruling party and protect democracy. He emphasized the need for collective action to prevent history from repeating itself and to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic system. “This is a national emergency, and we must act before history repeats itself,” he concluded.
In his remarks, El-Rufai painted a picture of a political environment in crisis, where both the ruling party and opposition forces are failing to fulfill their roles. He stressed that the solution lies in raising the quality of leadership, strengthening political structures, and fostering collaboration among opposition parties. Only through these measures, he argued, can Nigeria overcome its current challenges and achieve the democratic progress envisioned by its citizens.
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