The All Progressives Congress has criticised former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his remarks on the ruling party’s leadership and governance.
The Presidency also accused him of treachery following his recent attacks on the Federal Government and the APC.
El-Rufai, speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Abuja on Monday, described Nigeria’s governance and opposition politics as a “national emergency.” He lamented the lack of internal democracy and party structures within the APC, stating, “I no longer recognise 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.”
The former governor called for higher standards in political party nominations, arguing that the constitutional minimum of a secondary school certificate should not suffice for candidates and delegates.
Reflecting on the APC’s foundation, he recalled that the party was originally formed to combat corruption, rebuild the economy, and enhance security. However, he claimed these goals had been abandoned.
El-Rufai further urged opposition parties to unite and form a broad coalition to challenge the ruling APC and safeguard democracy. He alleged that internal crises within opposition parties were being orchestrated by sponsored operatives.
“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.’
“There seems to be a deliberate project to destroy opposition parties. This is dangerous. For those of us who lived half our lives under military rule, we know what it is. 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 warned.
The Presidency swiftly responded to El-Rufai’s remarks.
In a post on his official X account, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, questioned the former governor’s motives.
He tweeted, “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, APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, urged El-Rufai to address his grievances privately rather than publicly criticising the party.
He stated, “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.
“It’s all a question of views, perspectives, and circumstances surrounding issues. I wouldn’t want to go deep into the internal issues of the party, and El-Rufai’s position regarding it. But I can assure you, the APC is a listening party. Under the leadership of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the party allows people to voice their views.
“If there is any grievance or misunderstanding, he always gives people the chance to talk. So, El-Rufai knows best how to channel his complaints, and if there are certain things he wants done to sanitise what he feels is going wrong, he knows what to do. I can assure you, the party will give him a listening ear.”
Meanwhile, opposition parties have rallied behind El-Rufai, accusing the APC of abandoning its campaign promises and failing Nigerians.
They argued that his statements reflect growing discontent with the ruling party’s governance, reinforcing the need for a united opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
