The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the criticisms made by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the party. APC claims that El-Rufai’s exit from the party was not due to ideological differences but rather his disappointment over not securing a ministerial position in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement released on Monday through its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, noted that El-Rufai’s remarks were an attempt to cover up his personal grievances.
Morka stated, “El-Rufai stands diminished as the epitome of a self-interested politician, blinded by ego, driven by untamed emotion, and brimming with a vengeful desire to collapse the system.”
El-Rufai had recently told BBC Hausa that APC had moved away from its original progressive principles and was now dominated by politicians focused on personal interests. However, the ruling party countered that his statements were not about the party’s ideology but rather his frustration over being left out of the federal cabinet.
“His claim that he exited because the party had deviated from its founding values or progressive ideology is a smokescreen to weaponize personal grievance garbed as principled dissent. He appears traumatized by his failure to land a ministerial position,” the APC’s statement read.
The party also questioned El-Rufai’s decision to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), suggesting that his new political platform does not align with the progressive values he claims to support.
“Exactly how is the SDP, his new political abode, an ideological safe haven?” Morka asked.
APC further defended President Tinubu’s administration, noting that his government has made significant progress in governance and economic reforms. The party pointed to key policies such as the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate unification, and increased foreign investment as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises.
The statement rejected El-Rufai’s claim that the current administration had failed, calling it misleading and untrue.
“El-Rufai’s claim that Tinubu has failed is as outrageous as it is bogus, and a gross distortion of the reality on the ground. Across all sectors, Nigerians are witnessing tangible progress in the delivery of the President’s campaign promises,” the statement added.
APC urged El-Rufai to engage in constructive criticism rather than personal attacks, stating that political opposition should focus on offering alternative policies rather than spreading misinformation.
The party concluded its statement by advising El-Rufai to accept his political reality and move forward.
“El-Rufai is free to choose his political affiliation as he has done. He should quit sulking, get a grip, and salvage some respectability,” the statement concluded.
