El-Rufai Slams APC: ‘Illiterates in Leadership,’ Says Party Has Abandoned Its Ideals

El-Rufai Slams APC: ‘Illiterates in Leadership,’ Says Party Has Abandoned Its Ideals

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has launched a scathing attack on his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of abandoning its founding principles and fostering poor leadership. Speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria held in Abuja, El-Rufai warned that the state of governance and opposition in the country had reached a “national emergency.”

APC Has Lost Its Founding Vision, Says El-Rufai

El-Rufai expressed deep disappointment with the APC’s internal structure, lamenting that the party has strayed far from its original objectives of fighting corruption, rebuilding the economy, and enhancing security. According to him, the APC was established as a reformist party, but those ideals have now been abandoned.

“The problems that led to the creation of the APC remain unresolved,” he stated. “I no longer believe the APC is interested in addressing them. The distance between me and the party is widening.” He further criticized the absence of internal democracy, stating that major party organs, such as the National Executive Committee (NEC) and party caucus, have failed to convene for over two years.

Poor Leadership and Unqualified Delegates Are Hurting Nigeria

A key concern raised by El-Rufai was the quality of leadership emerging from political parties, particularly within the APC. He blamed this on unqualified delegates who determine party candidates, warning that their decisions ultimately affect governance.

“You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders,” he declared. “This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today.” He argued that Nigeria must raise its standards for both political candidates and party delegates, adding that the constitutional requirement of a secondary school certificate is insufficient for selecting credible leaders.

El-Rufai’s remarks come amid growing concerns over political incompetence and ineffective governance at both federal and state levels. His comments reflect broader frustrations among Nigerians who feel that politicians prioritize personal interests over national development.

Opposition Parties in Crisis, Risk Democratic Collapse

Beyond criticizing the APC, El-Rufai also highlighted the crisis within opposition parties, claiming that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) were being deliberately weakened. He alleged that internal saboteurs within the PDP were actively working to destroy the party from within, while the Labour Party’s internal instability had left its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, disconnected from its affairs.

There are internal mercenaries in the PDP, hired and motivated to destroy the party,” he stated. “Peter Obi himself told me, ‘I don’t know what’s happening in the party I contested with.’” This, according to El-Rufai, suggests a deliberate project to weaken opposition forces, making it harder to challenge the APC in future elections.

He warned that without a strong and united opposition, Nigerian democracy is at risk. He urged opposition parties to set aside their differences and form a coalition that can effectively check the excesses of the ruling party.

Voter Apathy and the Risk of Democratic Failure

One of El-Rufai’s most alarming warnings was the potential for mass voter apathy in the 2027 elections. Citing a recent poll, he revealed that 75% of registered voters might abstain from voting, which he described as a dangerous signal for democracy.

“This is dangerous. For those of us who lived half our lives under military rule, we know what it is,” he cautioned. “We don’t want a military rule, but we also don’t want civilians behaving like the military in their babbar riga and suits.”

El-Rufai concluded by calling on all political actors to take urgent steps to strengthen democracy before Nigeria finds itself in another political crisis. “This is a national emergency, and we must act before history repeats itself,” he warned.

Presidency Reacts: ‘Would You Have Said This If You Were in Power?’

El-Rufai’s comments have sparked strong reactions, particularly from the Presidency, which accused him of hypocrisy and opportunism. Daniel Bwala, a spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, criticized El-Rufai on X (formerly Twitter), questioning whether the former governor would have spoken out if he were still part of the government.

“My senior brother, if you were in government and the 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. Haba Mallam, a Ji soron Allah mana,” Bwala wrote.

El-Rufai was a key figure in the formation of APC and served as a close ally of former President Muhammadu Buhari. His criticism of the party now raises questions about internal rifts within the APC and the future of Nigeria’s ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Despite the backlash, El-Rufai remains firm in his stance, maintaining that Nigeria’s political system is in urgent need of reform to prevent a democratic decline. Whether the APC leadership will respond to his concerns or dismiss them as political rhetoric remains to be seen


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