Abuja — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent remarks on the party, accusing him of using personal grievances as a pretext for his departure.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party dismissed El-Rufai’s claims that the APC had deviated from its founding principles, calling them a “smokescreen” for his disappointment over not securing a ministerial position in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
El-Rufai, in a recent interview with BBC Hausa, alleged that the APC had abandoned its progressive ideals and had become a party driven by personal interests. However, the APC countered that El-Rufai himself exemplifies the very self-serving politics he condemns, accusing him of acting out of frustration and attempting to “collapse the system” in retaliation.
The party also questioned El-Rufai’s decision to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), challenging how the new platform aligns with the ideological convictions he claims to uphold. His call for opposition members to rally under the SDP was described as an appeal driven by “selfishness, vengefulness, and delusions of grandeur.”
Addressing El-Rufai’s criticism of Tinubu’s leadership, the APC defended the president’s economic policies, citing major reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, unification of exchange rates, and increased foreign direct investment. The statement highlighted Nigeria’s improved GDP growth, rising oil exports, and a strengthened balance of payments as evidence of the administration’s success.
The ruling party reaffirmed its commitment to progressive governance, stating that millions of Nigerians continue to support its policies and vision for the country. It urged El-Rufai to engage in constructive opposition rather than “sulking” over political setbacks.
“El-Rufai is free to choose his political path,” the statement concluded, “but he should get a grip and salvage some respectability,” the party said.
