The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a swipe at former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his reported alliance with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), calling them “the most confused, clueless, rudderless, and pitiful opposition politicians the country has ever known.”
In a strongly worded statement issued Monday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, accused El-Rufai and his political allies of contributing nothing to Nigeria’s political discourse “beyond oversized egos, wild entitlement mentalities, obscene desperation, and predatory presidential ambitions.”
Morka claimed that El-Rufai had descended into a “political tailspin” since the failure of his ministerial nomination and has since resorted to “baseless media attacks” on President Bola Tinubu and the APC-led federal administration.
“Beyond headline-grabbing criticisms, neither El-Rufai nor his political associates have presented a single viable alternative policy to those already being implemented by the Tinubu administration,” the statement read.
Morka recalled that all three major presidential contenders in the 2023 general election—Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi—had campaigned on a commitment to remove fuel subsidy and reform Nigeria’s foreign exchange policy.
“Upon assuming office, President Tinubu implemented those promised reforms without delay. The other contestants, after suffering electoral defeat, appeared to recant their reformist stances, choosing instead to criticise the same policies they once endorsed.”
The APC questioned why critics of the subsidy removal and forex liberalization have not presented any realistic plans to reverse the policies or finance the economic burden their reinstatement would bring.
“If El-Rufai and his cohorts truly oppose these reforms, let them present detailed alternatives—including how to fund the massive deficits their proposals would create.”
Morka went on to list several economic and infrastructural indicators he said point to steady progress under the current administration:
Improved agricultural productivity
A bullish stock market
Higher electricity generation and transmission
Crude oil production nearing 1.8 million barrels per day
Trade surpluses
Ongoing road and bridge projects (420 across the country)
Modernization of the military, including 49 new aircraft
The launch of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND)
Declining inflation and rising consumer confidence
“Given these developments, El-Rufai’s verdict of ‘poor governance and failed leadership’ lacks credibility. It is little more than the lament of a sulking politician.”
The ruling party also dismissed allegations of “clannishness” leveled by El-Rufai, describing them as baseless and offensive.
“President Tinubu is one of the most detribalized and patriotic leaders Nigeria has ever produced. No ethnic, tribal, or religious group has been sidelined in his administration.”
Morka further criticized El-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State, alleging a legacy of ethno-religious marginalization, demolitions, sectarian policies, and a debt burden of N284 billion, citing data from the Debt Management Office (DMO).
The APC said it views El-Rufai’s recent political maneuvers—including alleged plans to impose Atiku Abubakar as ADC’s presidential candidate—as a “dangerous plot” to derail Nigeria’s political stability.
“This unholy alliance is a clear threat to the principle of power rotation—a fundamental pillar of national unity. What Atiku did to the PDP during the 2023 primaries, El-Rufai and his cohort now appear poised to replicate on a national scale through the hijacked ADC.”
Morka concluded by warning that “El-Rufai, Atiku, and their allies constitute a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s unity, peace, and democratic progress.”
