By Caleb Ishaya, Abuja and RAHILA ABDULLAHI, KADUNA
Immediate past Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has dealt a big blow on the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying “I no longer recognise the APC”.
El-Rufai, who stated this in Abuja, at a National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, described the state of governance and opposition in the country as a “national emergency”.
He also accused the ruling party and the administration of President Bola Tinubu of plotting to destroy opposition parties in the country.
The former Governor, also said his party, the All Progressives Congress has abandoned its founding principles and fostering poor leadership.
El-Rufai, lamented the lack of what he described as internal democracy and active party structures within the APC, saying “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 is a zero-man show”.
The former governor criticised the quality of leadership emerging from political parties, attributing it to unqualified delegates.
El-Rufai, however, urged political parties to set higher standards for candidates and delegates, noting that the constitution’s minimum requirement of a secondary school certificate should not suffice for party nominations.
Reflecting on the party’s foundation, El-Rufai said the APC was originally established to combat corruption, rebuild the economy, and enhance security but the goals have been abandoned.
“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 stated.
Besides, El-Rufai, also urged opposition parties to unite and form a broad coalition to challenge the ruling party and protect democracy.
“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 do not know what is happening in the party I contested with.
“There seems to be a deliberate project to destroy opposition parties”, he alleged.
Citing a poll that revealed 75% of registered voters might abstain from the 2027 elections, El-Rufai warned of an impending crisis.
“This is dangerous. For those of us who lived half our lives under military rule, we know what it is. We do not want a military rule, but we also don’t want civilians behaving like the military in their babbar riga and suits”, he said.
He appealed to opposition parties to set aside their differences and form a united front to save democracy.
“This is a national emergency, and we must act before history repeats itself”, he emphasised.
Reacting to El-Rufai on X, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communications and Media, Daniel Bwala, “My elder brother ,El-Rufai, 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”.
All Progressives Congress has replied to former Vice-President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over his accusation that President Bola Tinubu paid opposition leaders ₦50 million each to destabilise their parties.
In a statement issued and signed by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party described Atiku’s allegations as “bogus and laughable”.
It would be recalled that Atiku made the accusation in Abuja, on Monday at the national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
