The presidency has responded strongly to remarks made by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, criticising the current state of democracy and governance within the All Progressives Congress (APC). El-Rufai, speaking at a national conference in Abuja, accused the APC of failing to deliver on its promises and deviating from its founding mission.
El-Rufai expressed concerns about the lack of party meetings, such as caucus and NEC sessions, labelling the APC a “zero-man show.” He also attributed Nigeria’s ongoing hardships to what he described as “illiterates and semi-illiterates” holding positions of authority.
In a swift reaction, Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, accused El-Rufai of attempting to undermine a government he helped establish. Taking to his X handle, Bwala questioned whether El-Rufai would have made similar comments if he were still part of the current administration.
Bwala wrote:
“My senior brother, if you were to be in the government and 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.”
This public exchange underscores the growing tensions within the ruling party, with high-profile members like El-Rufai openly criticising the APC’s leadership structure and governance strategy. Analysts suggest that such rifts could impact the party’s unity ahead of future political engagements.