APC hits back at El-Rufai over exit, calls his criticism ‘grudge-laden’

By Kunle Sanni

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent remarks criticizing the party and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a strongly worded statement issued by APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party dismissed El-Rufai’s claims that APC had deviated from its founding ideals, calling them a smokescreen for his personal grievances.

“El-Rufai’s claim that he left the APC because it has abandoned its progressive values is nothing but an attempt to weaponize personal disappointment as principled dissent,” the statement read. “His real issue is his failed ministerial bid, and he is now lashing out at the party that gave him prominence.”

The APC described El-Rufai as the very type of politician he once criticized—someone driven by ego and personal interest rather than the public good. The party referenced a past video where El-Rufai lamented that Nigerian politicians only pursued their private interests, arguing that the former governor was now guilty of the same.

“El-Rufai stands diminished as the epitome of a self-interested politician, blinded by ego, driven by untamed emotion, and brimming with a vengeful desire to ‘collapse the system,’” the statement continued.

The party also questioned El-Rufai’s decision to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), asking how the new platform aligns with the progressive ideals he claims to uphold.

Responding to El-Rufai’s claims that Tinubu has failed Nigerians, the APC said the administration had made significant strides in economic and governance reforms. It highlighted key policy achievements, including:

• The removal of fuel subsidies, saving the country an estimated ₦4 trillion annually.
• Exchange rate unification, leading to increased foreign exchange inflows.
• A surge in Nigeria’s GDP growth rate to 3.8% in Q4 2024—the highest since 2021.
• A trade surplus of $14.31 billion in 2024, driven by non-oil exports and economic diversification.
• Increased allocations to state and local governments for grassroots development.