Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of incompetence, nepotism, and a departure from the foundational principles of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In an interview with Deutsche Welle Hausa, El-Rufai — who has recently left the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) — asserted that Nigeria has been “moving backwards” since Tinubu took office on May 29, 2023.
Once a prominent ally of Tinubu and a pivotal figure in the APC’s victories in 2015, 2019, and 2023, El-Rufai stated that the party has forsaken the values upon which it was established.
“Ever since Tinubu became president, insecurity has increased, the economy is dwindling, affluent people are now poor, and ethnic profiling is on the rise,” he remarked.
El-Rufai accused the current administration of favouring individuals from Tinubu’s ethnic group and inner circle, asserting that appointments are now predicated on personal connections rather than merit.
“Whoever gets appointed must be someone from his tribe or someone he knows. They can deny it, but Nigerians are not stupid,” he added.
He lamented the shift in the APC’s direction, stating that it no longer embodies justice, equity, and national integration — the ideals that inspired its inception.
“This injustice and ethnic profiling is not what we built APC on. It was supposed to be a party of competence and fairness,” he stated.
In response to critics regarding his transition to the SDP, El-Rufai clarified that it was the APC that had strayed from its founding principles, not him.
“I did not leave the APC. It left me. Since Tinubu became president, they stopped listening. They act like nobody can advise them,” he expressed.
He further accused the APC of neglecting internal democracy, highlighting that the party had not convened meaningful meetings in two years.
“Even a child, if he goes astray despite all efforts, you let him go. That’s what I did. I’ve left the APC for good,” El-Rufai declared.
Additionally, El-Rufai commented on the APC’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari, which he characterised as politically motivated and a response to his defection.
He noted that he had informed Buhari of his decision to leave but did not seek his approval.
“I’m 65. I didn’t go to beg. I just informed him. Two days later, I left the party,” he said.
El-Rufai asserted that the SDP is quickly gaining traction across the nation, with Nigerians disillusioned with both the APC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“In every state, people are lining up for SDP tickets. They believe we will bring justice, accountability, and help end poverty,” he stated.
“With God’s help and the people’s prayers, a storm is coming that will sweep away these bad leaders. SDP will form the federal and many state governments,” he concluded.
