Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has reaffirmed his readiness to publicly criticize the All Progressives Congress (APC), even if he were part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. This declaration comes amid a heated exchange with Daniel Bwala, the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication.
On January 28, 2025, during a national conference in Abuja focused on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, El-Rufai expressed disillusionment with the APC’s current trajectory. He lamented the party’s departure from its foundational principles, stating, “I no longer recognize 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.”
In response, Bwala questioned whether El-Rufai would maintain the same critical stance if he held a position within the Tinubu administration. He remarked, “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.”
El-Rufai, addressing Bwala’s comments on January 30 via X (formerly Twitter), clarified that he had no interest in joining Tinubu’s government. He emphasized that his critiques stem from a commitment to the party’s original ideals, not personal ambition. He stated, “If I had remained in the Tinubu government, I would say or do the same on the tragedy within a party I was a founder, and the government that emerged from it—first in private sessions with those concerned, and then go public if no remedial actions are taken.”
El-Rufai also addressed the insinuation that his criticisms were driven by a desire for a ministerial position, noting that he had informed Tinubu of his lack of interest in any governmental role. He remarked, “I was a cabinet minister 22 years ago and made it clear to Asiwaju that I was not interested in any position in his future government.”
This exchange underscores ongoing tensions within the APC, as founding members like El-Rufai voice concerns over the party’s direction and internal dynamics.
