The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s recent criticisms, attributing his discontent to the failure of his ministerial bid.
In a statement released on Monday by APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party condemned El-Rufai’s claims that it had abandoned its founding principles. They labeled these statements as a “smokescreen” for his personal grievances.
Morka said, “El-Rufai stands diminished as the epitome of a self-interested politician, blinded by ego, driven by untamed emotion, and filled with a vengeful desire to destabilize the system.”
El-Rufai, in a recent BBC Hausa interview, accused APC of deviating from its progressive values, stating that it was now dominated by self-serving politicians.
However, the party countered that his frustration stemmed from his failure to secure a ministerial position in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“His assertion that he left due to the party’s abandonment of its founding values is a smokescreen designed to disguise his personal grievances under the guise of principled dissent. It appears that he is traumatized by his failure to land a ministerial position,” the statement read.
The APC also took issue with El-Rufai’s decision to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), questioning its alignment with his supposed progressive ideals.
“Exactly how is the SDP, his new political home, an ideological safe haven?” Morka asked.
The ruling party reiterated that President Tinubu remained committed to good governance and economic reform, citing achievements such as fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and increased foreign investment.
“El-Rufai’s claim that Tinubu has failed is not only outrageous but also a gross distortion of the reality on the ground. Nigerians are witnessing tangible progress across various sectors, in line with the President’s campaign promises,” the statement added.
APC urged El-Rufai to engage in constructive opposition, rather than personal attacks, and to offer alternative policies instead of indulging in scurrilous propaganda and misinformation.
“Rather than resorting to personal attacks, El-Rufai should offer constructive criticism or propose alternative policies as expected from a serious political opposition,” the statement concluded, advising him to accept his political reality and move on.
“El-Rufai is free to choose his political affiliation. He should stop sulking, regain his composure, and salvage some respectability,” APC added.