The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the North West, Garba Muhammad, has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai to reconsider their political ambitions ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Muhammad, a key figure within the APC and a long-time representative of Sabon Gari in the House of Representatives, expressed his concerns in an open letter, urging both politicians to proceed with caution.
Garba Muhammad, who hails from Kaduna State, took particular aim at Atiku Abubakar, advising him to abandon any plans of running for president again in 2027. Muhammad noted that Atiku has been contesting for the presidency since 1993 and suggested that the former vice president, who would be nearing 80 by the time of the next election, should instead focus on serving as a respected statesman. He expressed his belief that Atiku had little new to offer to the electorate, pointing to his support for controversial policies such as subsidy removal and his role in privatizing national assets during his tenure as vice president.
“In truth, even if you contest, you have nothing new to offer,” Muhammad wrote. “Remember, you are also a proponent of subsidy removal. It is on record that, as vice president, you spearheaded the privatisation of some key national assets when you chaired the committee on privatisation during Obasanjo’s administration, while former Governor El-rufai was the Director General of the Bureau for Public Privatization, BPP.”
Muhammad also directed his remarks towards Nasir el-Rufai, urging the former governor to reconcile with the APC, noting his significant role in the founding of the party. He reminded el-Rufai that he had previously stated that leaving the APC meant quitting politics entirely. Muhammad suggested that el-Rufai should reconsider his departure from the party, especially given the current political climate, where his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration seemed at odds with his past commitments to the APC.
“Having worked for the party tirelessly and served as governor under its platform for eight years, it is rather worrisome that you decided to leave APC at this critical point,” Muhammad remarked. “You should ponder and reconcile with the APC or quit politics altogether.”
The APC leader went on to note that the current leadership in Kaduna State, under Governor Uba Sani, was benefiting the region significantly. He cited the inclusive leadership style of Governor Sani, which he believed was fostering peace and stability in the state, particularly in the rural areas.
Furthermore, Muhammad pointed out the unprecedented political representation of the North West region, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, from Kaduna State, and the Deputy President of the Senate, from Kano State. He also highlighted that the region had received considerable ministerial appointments, including those overseeing critical sectors like defense, housing, and national planning.
“Currently in the North-West, we have speaker of the House of Representatives from Kaduna State and the Deputy President of the Senate from Kano State. It has never happened in the history of Nigeria where two presiding officers of the National Assembly came from the same zone,” Muhammad stated.
