- El-Rufai is ‘Overrated Ethnic Champion’ — APC
- We’ll Welcome Him, ‘Any Nigerian’ To Our Party– PDP
By Kolawole Ojebisi
The apparent hobnobbing of the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, with members of the opposition parties has prompted divergent opinions from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its main rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This is as speculations became rife, on Sunday, that El-Rufai was rallying both northern and South south political leaders and bigwigs against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 poll.
The once rosy relationship between the President and El-Rufai supposedly turned sour after he failed to secure a ministerial appointment.
Though Tinubu nominated him for a ministerial position, the ex-governor was rejected by the National Assembly on security grounds.
But in recent weeks, El-Rufai has been meeting with various northern political leaders and opposition figures, including the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.
To demonstrate his new-found relationship with the former vice president whom he once accused of corruption in his book, “The Accidental Servant,” El-Rufai joined Atiku’s entourage during a condolence visit to the family of the elder statesman and leader of Niger Delta, Chief Edwin Clark, last Friday.
Speaking during the visit, El-Rufai said Atiku deserved commendations for spearheading economic reforms during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.
“Nobody gives Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the credit for economic policy-making under Obasanjo’s administration. Many of the things we did were under his leadership.
“Maybe because we don’t write about it, and people don’t read history, we tend to forget. We only remember negative things. Maybe, it’s part of human nature,” El-Rufai said.
After the condolence visit, the ex-governor and Atiku observed the Juma’at prayer together. On Saturday, El-Rufai met with the Kaduna State executive committee of the PDP. The former governor was accompanied by his former Chief of Staff, Bashir Saidu.
The closed-door meeting, which took place in Kaduna, sparked speculations about possible political realignments and bipartisan cooperation ahead of the 2027 election.
Twenty-forty hours later, the ex-governor held a meeting with the former National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, on Sunday.
El-Rufai visited Adamu at the latter’s residence in Keffi, Nasarawa State. This was made public by an X user and staunch follower of El-Rufai, @UI_Wakili.
He wrote, “Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, accompanied by Mallam Bashir Saidu and Dujima Adamawa, paid a visit to former APC Chairman Abdullahi Adamu today at his residence in Keffi.”
Adamu is believed to have fallen out with Tinubu following his resignation as APC national chairman in July 2023.
Also recall that about two weeks ago, the APC chieftain shared an opinion by a social commentator, Uche Diala, which claimed the relationship between Tinubu and the North had deteriorated less than two years into his administration, warning that he may be given the ‘Goodluck Jonathan treatment’ in the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai published the statement written on his verified X handle. It was titled, ‘2027: South West, Tinubu’s supporters playing with fire – Part 1.’
It read partly, “Less than two years into the tenure, we are witnesses to how the relationship between the North and President Bola Tinubu or rather his administration is quickly deteriorating, driven by the words and conduct of, unfortunately, many from the president’s geopolitical zone and tribe. Truth be told.
“I have read and heard the arrogant posturing and braggadocio by some people whom I refer to as political rabble-rousers, but I get more worried each day as it keeps looking more and more like a movie we had seen before.
“May I remind some persons that, more than the performance or lack thereof of the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration, it was his attitude, and that of people around him, towards the North that ultimately brought him down and, by extension, the PDP that had boasted that it would rule Nigeria for 60 years.”
But speaking on El-Rufai’s subterranean political moves, the APC National Secretary, Alhaji Ajibila Basiru, said they no longer pay attention to his activities after the party discovered he was “an overrated ethnic champion” who is always ready to pitch northern politicians against their southern counterparts.
The party scribe slammed El-Rufai over his continued posture as the mouthpiece of the North and recent fraternity with top opposition figures.
He said, “I have told you before and am still telling you again that we are concerned about our affairs in the APC. For parties in Nigeria, it is free exit and free entry. So anybody is free to exit if he wants to exit. But we will not dignify such moves with any comment for now.
“We understand that sectional politics is what makes some people tick. Unfortunately, he (El-Rufai) is not thinking about the development of the country but is stoking up the ethnic nationality agenda. This South versus North posture shows that all along, he has been overrated as a person.”
Hinting at El-Rufai’s grievance, Basiru noted, “The only thing we want to say is that governance is a serious matter and nobody has the birthright to be an appointee of government. There are more than 180 million Nigerians and quite a number of them are qualified.
“So, if you don’t have an opportunity to serve in a government, it does not mean that you should be going around and trying to become an emergency activist. As I said before, politics is a free exit and free entry. The APC is solid and we are forging ahead.”
However, on its part, the PDP said it would work with El-Rufai and others to rescue Nigeria from the APC. The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, argued that El-Rufai, as a former member of the ruling party, now knows the party that has respect for the rule of law.
In response to a question about El-Rufai possibly joining the PDP, Ologunagba said the party membership is determined at the ward and local government levels.
He stated, “The membership of our party comes from the ward and local government, and the party is open with free entry and exit.
“We have already established the PDP as the only political party with the true interests of the people and any Nigerians who are willing to align with our constitution, placing people first and respecting our policies and the rule of law, will be welcome to work with us.”
He added, “Indeed, the interests of Nigerians should be the overriding priority. Nigerians know better now, and with all due respect to El-Rufai, he knows better. He was in the PDP and is now in the APC.
“I am sure he can make the distinction between where there is democracy, accommodation, the rule of law, and respect for Nigeria’s cultural and religious balance.”
Ologunagba praised the main opposition party as a party of principles and a platform that provides opportunities for Nigerians.
He stated, “The PDP is a party with a constitution that fosters peace. We don’t need to know someone to be a part of the party. If you’re accepted as a member, you belong, and there is no favouritism.
“This is why it is called the Peoples Democratic Party. Unlike others, you won’t find that kind of favouritism in our party. We stand by our principles and our constitution, and no one individual is bigger than the PDP.
“This party has been in existence since 1998 and continues to grow stronger. The foundation of this party is peace, democracy, the rule of law, people’s rights, and improving the lives of Nigerians. These principles and policies were reflected in the 15 years described as Nigeria’s golden years of democratic governance.
“Therefore, El-Rufai and many other Nigerians know that the PDP is the only party truly for the people and that protects the interests of the people.
“As a platform that provides opportunities for Nigerians, the PDP will be willing and ready to work with any Nigerian.”
