The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for his recent remarks accusing the party of poor leadership and advocating for opposition unity to challenge the government in the 2027 general elections.
The Presidency has also condemned El-Rufai’s comments, describing them as an act of betrayal, following his recent critiques of the Federal Government and the APC’s internal structure.
El-Rufai, speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria held in Abuja on Monday, expressed grave concerns over what he termed a “national emergency” in governance and political opposition. He lamented the lack of internal democracy within the APC, asserting that the party had not convened any official meetings in two years.
“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,” he stated.
He also criticized the party’s nomination process, arguing that the constitutional minimum requirement of a secondary school certificate for political officeholders is inadequate. According to him, political parties must establish higher standards for candidates and delegates.
Reflecting on the original objectives of the APC, El-Rufai stated that the party was founded on the principles of combating corruption, rebuilding the economy, and strengthening national security. However, he argued that these goals had been abandoned.
As part of his proposed solution, the former governor called on opposition parties to set aside their internal differences and form a formidable coalition to challenge the APC in 2027. He alleged that internal crises within opposition parties were being fueled by external forces determined to weaken them.
“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,’” El-Rufai stated.
He warned that such interference posed a significant threat to democracy, comparing the current political situation to past authoritarian regimes. “We don’t want military rule, but we also don’t want civilians behaving like the military in their babbarriga and suits. This is a national emergency, and we must act before history repeats itself,” he emphasized.
Presidency Responds with Condemnation
Reacting to El-Rufai’s statements, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, accused the former governor of hypocrisy, questioning whether he would have made such remarks had he been appointed to President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
Taking to his official X account, Bwala wrote, “My senior brother, if you were to be in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position? History is replete with examples. It is a government you participated in its formation that you now want to unseat. Haba Mallam, a ji soron Allah mana.”
Similarly, the APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, stated that while El-Rufai is entitled to his opinion, his criticisms should have been directed to the party leadership through appropriate channels rather than public outbursts.
“The beauty of democracy is that it gives people the right to express their own opinion. El-Rufai, as an individual, party member, former governor, ex-minister, and a well-respected politician, is entitled to his opinion. But that is not to say that is exactly what is happening in the APC,” Ibrahim remarked.
He maintained that the APC remains a listening party under the leadership of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and encourages internal discussions to address grievances.
“If there is any grouse or misunderstanding, he always gives people the chance to come and talk. So, El-Rufai knows best how to channel this complaint, and if there are certain things he wants done to sanitize what he feels is going wrong, he knows what to do. I can assure you, the party will give him the listening ear.”
Opposition Backs El-Rufai’s Claims
Meanwhile, opposition parties have expressed support for El-Rufai’s statements, asserting that the APC has deviated from its campaign promises and failed to address pressing national concerns. Several opposition leaders have echoed his call for unity, acknowledging that internal divisions have hindered their effectiveness in challenging the ruling party.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, political analysts suggest that El-Rufai’s remarks could have far-reaching implications for the APC and Nigeria’s broader political landscape. Whether his call for opposition unity will gain traction remains to be seen, but his comments have undoubtedly reignited debates on governance, party discipline, and democratic principles within Nigeria’s political system.
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