Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of mismanagement, partiality, and abandoning the fundamental principles that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was built upon.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle Hausa, El-Rufai, who recently left the APC to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), claimed that Nigeria has been “regressing” since Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
Once a close ally of Tinubu and a key figure in the APC’s electoral success in 2015, 2019, and 2023, El-Rufai expressed his dissatisfaction with the current trajectory of the administration.
“Since Tinubu took office, insecurity has worsened, the economy is struggling, the wealthy are now facing hardships, and ethnic profiling has become more widespread,” he said.
He also accused the administration of favoring individuals from Tinubu’s ethnic group and inner circle when making important appointments, asserting that personal connections have become a priority over merit.
“Appointments are being made based on tribal ties and personal relationships. They may deny it, but Nigerians are not blind,” he remarked.
El-Rufai lamented the changes within the APC, asserting that the party no longer upholds the values of justice, fairness, and national unity that it was initially founded on.
“This is not the APC we created. The party was supposed to stand for competence and equality, not for bias and injustice,” he said.
When asked about his departure from the APC, El-Rufai defended his decision, insisting that it was the APC that had strayed from its founding principles, not him.
“I didn’t leave the APC; the APC left me. Since Tinubu became president, they stopped listening to advice and act as if no one can offer counsel,” he explained.
He further criticized the party for abandoning internal democracy, highlighting that the APC had not held any substantial meetings over the past two years.
“Even a child must be allowed to leave if he refuses to listen, no matter the efforts to guide him. That’s why I left the APC,” El-Rufai stated.
El-Rufai also commented on the APC’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari, calling it a politically motivated response to his departure. He clarified that he merely informed Buhari of his decision to leave the party and did not seek his approval.
“I’m 65 years old. I didn’t go to beg him; I just informed him, and two days later, I left the APC,” he explained.
According to El-Rufai, the SDP is gaining momentum nationwide as many Nigerians have grown disillusioned with both the APC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“In every state, people are joining the SDP, believing we can bring justice, accountability, and combat poverty,” he said. “With God’s guidance and the people’s support, a change is coming that will sweep away the current leaders. The SDP will form the federal and many state governments.”
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