Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has sharply criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party of becoming a “one-man show” and abandoning its founding principles.
Speaking at a national conference in Abuja on Monday, El-Rufai described the state of governance and opposition in Nigeria as a “national emergency.”
In a post shared on his social media platform on Tuesday, El-Rufai lamented the lack of internal democracy and the absence of active party structures within the APC. “I no longer recognise 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,” he stated.
- No Date Set for Putin-Trump Phone Call as Russia insists on conditions
- Afe Babalola Bows to Pressure, Withdraws Defamation Suit Against Farotimi
The former governor also criticised the quality of leadership emerging from political parties, attributing it to the election of unqualified delegates. “You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today,” he remarked.
El-Rufai called for higher standards for candidates and delegates, suggesting that the constitution’s minimum requirement of a secondary school certificate should not be enough for party nominations. He reflected on the APC’s original mission to combat corruption, rebuild the economy, and improve security, but expressed disappointment that these goals have been sidelined.
“The problems that led to the creation of the APC remain unresolved, but I no longer believe the APC is interested in addressing them. The distance between me and the party is widening,” he said.
The former governor also urged opposition parties to unite and form a coalition to challenge the ruling party and safeguard democracy. He claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is being undermined by “internal mercenaries,” while the Labour Party is also facing similar difficulties. “Peter Obi himself told me, ‘I don’t know what’s happening in the party I contested with,’” El-Rufai revealed.
In light of concerns about voter apathy, El-Rufai warned of a potential crisis ahead of the 2027 elections, citing a poll that suggested 75% of registered voters may abstain from voting. “This is dangerous. For those of us who lived half our lives under military rule, we know what it is. We don’t want military rule, but we also don’t want civilians behaving like the military in their babbar riga and suits,” he concluded.
