Daily Justice

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a scathing attack on Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, accusing him of hypocrisy and self-interest following his recent departure from the party. In a strongly worded statement, the APC dismissed El-Rufai’s claims that the party has strayed from its progressive roots, branding his criticisms as a “smokescreen” for personal grievances after failing to secure a ministerial position under President Bola Tinubu.

El-Rufai, in a recent interview with BBC Hausa, argued that the APC had abandoned the ideals of its founders, morphing into a party driven by “personal interests.” The former governor, who has since defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), had previously gained attention for a viral video in which he lambasted politicians for prioritising self-interest over public good. However, the APC now accuses him of embodying the very traits he once condemned.

“Today, El-Rufai stands diminished as the epitome of a self-interested politician, blinded by ego, driven by untamed emotion, and brimming with a vengeful desire to ‘collapse the system,’” the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said in the statement. The party pointed to El-Rufai’s admission of disappointment with President Tinubu’s administration—seemingly tied to his unsuccessful ministerial bid—as the true motivation behind his exit, rather than any ideological rift.

The APC further questioned the logic of El-Rufai’s move to the SDP, asking how it could serve as an “ideological safe haven” for someone claiming to uphold progressive values. “His call for opposition members to join him under the SDP banner is nothing short of an invitation to drink from a chalice poisoned by selfishness, vengefulness, and delusion of grandeur,” Morka added.

The APC used the opportunity to robustly defend President Tinubu’s record, dismissing El-Rufai’s assertion that the administration has failed as “outrageous” and a “gross distortion of reality.” The party highlighted a slew of economic achievements under Tinubu’s leadership, including the removal of the fuel subsidy, which it claims saves Nigeria £4 trillion annually, and the unification of exchange rates, boosting foreign exchange inflows and strengthening the country’s reserves.

The statement also pointed to a surge in oil exports—now exceeding 1.8 million barrels per day—and a GDP growth rate of 3.8% in Q4 2024, the highest since Q4 2021. “President Tinubu’s strong political will to re-imagine and revitalise Nigeria’s economy is paying off,” Morka asserted, noting a trade surplus of $14.31 billion in 2024 and projections of further GDP growth to 3.6% in 2025.

Additionally, the party praised Tinubu’s financial reforms, which have increased allocations to state and local governments through the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC). This, it argued, is fostering grassroots development and delivering essential services to Nigerians.

The APC expressed confidence that Nigerians see through El-Rufai’s “scurrilous propaganda” and remain supportive of Tinubu’s reforms. “Rather than engaging in deliberate misinformation, El-Rufai should offer constructive criticism or alternative policies as expected of serious-minded political opposition,” the statement read.

The party concluded by urging El-Rufai to “stop sulking, get a grip, and salvage some respectability,” insisting that his personal attacks on the president are “reprehensible” and aimed at undermining Nigeria’s progress. Meanwhile, the APC claimed to be thriving, welcoming “millions of new members” drawn to its values and Tinubu’s transformative agenda.

As El-Rufai settles into his new political home with the SDP, the war of words with his former party shows no sign of abating, setting the stage for a contentious chapter in Nigeria’s political landscape.