EL-Rufai Slams Tinubu, Ribadu, and APC in Explosive Arise News Interview
posted 24th February 2025
EL-Rufai Slams Tinubu, Ribadu, and APC in Explosive Arise News Interview
February 24, 2025
In a fiery appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time program today, February 24, 2025, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai unleashed a barrage of candid remarks.
The outspoken All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain took aim at President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and the ruling party itself, signaling deep rifts within the APC and hinting at a brewing storm ahead of the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai didn’t mince words when discussing Tinubu, the man he helped propel to the presidency in 2023. “Tinubu was not my friend,” he declared, drawing a sharp cultural distinction. “There’s a difference between an omoluabi and an area boy,” he added, a thinly veiled jab at the president’s leadership style and character- especially regarding his recruitment style.
The term “omoluabi,” a Yoruba word embodying virtue and honor, contrasts starkly with “area boy,” a colloquial reference to street-toughened hustlers—an apparent dig at Tinubu’s Lagos roots and political persona.
The former governor’s discontent extended beyond personal gripes to the party he once championed. “I have not left APC, but APC has left me,” El-Rufai lamented, suggesting the party has strayed from its founding ideals. His frustration underscores a growing sense of alienation among some APC stalwarts, raising questions about the party’s cohesion as the 2027 election cycle looms.
El-Rufai turned his sights on Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser and a former close ally. “Nuhu Ribadu wants to be president in 2031,” he alleged, accusing Ribadu of orchestrating a campaign to “eliminate anyone who stands in his way.” This claim hints at a long-game power struggle within Nigeria’s political elite, with El-Rufai positioning himself as a target of Ribadu’s ambitions. The two men, once united in opposition to past administrations, now appear locked in a bitter feud that could reshape the country’s future leadership contests.
El-Rufai’s uncertainty about his political future added another layer of intrigue. “I’m not sure who to support in 2027,” he admitted, leaving the door wide open for speculation. Will he remain a dissenting voice within the APC, or could he pivot to the opposition? His indecision signals a potential realignment of forces as Nigeria approaches its next electoral showdown.
The interview, aired live on Arise TV, has sparked a frenzy of reactions across social media.
El-Rufai’s bluntness—calling out Tinubu’s leadership, exposing Ribadu’s alleged ambitions, and distancing himself from the APC’s current trajectory—marks a dramatic escalation in his ongoing battles with former allies. Daily Justice believes this could be the opening salvo in a broader campaign to challenge the status quo, both within the ruling party and beyond.
As the dust settles from this interview, one thing is clear: El-Rufai is not bowing out quietly. Whether he’s fighting to reclaim influence or simply settling scores, his words have ignited a political storm that will reverberate through Nigeria’s corridors of power.
