Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of incompetence, favoritism, and a betrayal of the core principles on which the All Progressives Congress (APC) was founded.
In a recent interview with Deutsche Welle Hausa, El-Rufai, who recently switched his allegiance from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), claimed that Nigeria has been in decline since Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
A former key supporter of Tinubu and a significant figure in the APC’s successes during the 2015, 2019, and 2023 elections, El-Rufai expressed disillusionment with the current trajectory of the party.
“Under Tinubu’s leadership, insecurity has worsened, the economy is struggling, the once-wealthy are now suffering, and ethnic profiling has become more pronounced,” he said.
El-Rufai accused the current administration of favoring individuals based on their ethnic background and personal connections rather than their qualifications.
“The appointments are now based on tribal ties or personal connections. They can deny it, but Nigerians are aware of what is happening,” he remarked.
Reflecting on the direction of the APC, El-Rufai expressed regret, noting that the party had abandoned the founding values of justice, equity, and unity, which had originally united its members.
“This is no longer the APC we built. It was intended to be a party of competence and fairness, not one that promotes injustice and ethnic favoritism,” he stated.
Addressing his defection to the SDP, El-Rufai explained that it wasn’t his decision to part ways with the APC, but rather the party’s deviation from its core principles.
“I didn’t leave the APC; the APC left me. Since Tinubu became president, the party has stopped listening to counsel. It’s as if they believe they can no longer be advised,” he said.
He also criticized the APC for abandoning internal democracy, pointing out that the party has not held any substantial meetings in the last two years.
“Sometimes, when a child refuses to listen despite every effort, you have to let him go. That’s exactly what I did—I left the APC,” El-Rufai remarked.
El-Rufai also addressed the recent visit by APC leaders to former President Muhammadu Buhari, calling it a politically motivated response to his defection.
He clarified that he simply informed Buhari of his decision to leave the party, but did not seek his approval.
“I’m 65 years old. I didn’t go to beg for approval, I just told him my decision, and two days later, I left the APC,” he said.
The former governor expressed confidence that the SDP is rapidly gaining support across the country, as many Nigerians have grown disillusioned with both the APC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“In every state, people are now turning to the SDP, believing that we can bring about justice, accountability, and tackle poverty,” he said. “With God’s help and the support of the people, a new wave is coming that will sweep away these ineffective leaders. The SDP will form both federal and state governments.”