A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Joe Igbokwe, has urged former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to refrain from making further public statements regarding his recent defection to the Social Democratic Party.
El-Rufai, who left APC alongside some associates, has publicly stated that he departed the party due to a perceived deviation from its original ideology under the current leadership. Since his defection, he has used media platforms to explain the challenges he faced within the APC, particularly after President Bola Tinubu assumed office.
In a post on his Facebook page, Igbokwe acknowledged El-Rufai’s significant contributions to the APC, especially in championing the party’s image during the 2023 elections. However, Igbokwe urged the former governor to maintain silence moving forward.
“I want my good friend, HE El-Rufai, to stop all these not-too-good statements I see every day. He is bigger than this,” Igbokwe wrote.
He also cautioned El-Rufai’s sons, advising them to exercise restraint and remain silent for the time being.
“His sons should also maintain a grave silence, at least for now,” Igbokwe said.
While acknowledging the significant efforts El-Rufai made for the APC’s success in 2023, Igbokwe described his recent public comments as counterproductive.
“I am not unmindful of the risky efforts Malam made for APC to triumph in 2023. He drilled the deepest well for APC,” Igbokwe added. “However, this street dance is totally negative and consequently too low. I CALL HIM THE STORMY PETREL.”
