El-Rufai criticizes APC, calls governance in Nigeria a national emergency

The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party of straying from its founding ideals and fostering poor leadership.

Speaking at a national conference in Abuja on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, El-Rufai described the current state of governance and opposition in the country as a “national emergency.”

The former governor, who shared his remarks on his X handle on Tuesday, lamented the absence of internal democracy and functioning party structures within the APC.

“I no longer recognize the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show,” he said.

El-Rufai also condemned the quality of leadership emerging from political parties, attributing the problem to unqualified delegates. “You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today,” he added.

The former governor called on political parties to raise the bar for candidates and delegates, emphasizing that the constitution’s minimum requirement of a secondary school certificate for nominations is insufficient.

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El-Rufai criticized the APC for abandoning its founding goals of combating corruption, rebuilding the economy, and enhancing security.

He also cited a poll suggesting that 75 percent of registered voters might abstain from the 2027 elections, warning of an impending crisis if the trend continues.

“If people lose faith in elections and democracy, we are heading for trouble,” El-Rufai cautioned.

In response to El-Rufai’s comments, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communications and Media, Daniel Bwala, questioned the former governor’s sincerity.

Bwala suggested that El-Rufai’s criticism might be different if he were still in government.

“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. Haba Mallam,” Bwala wrote.

The remarks have sparked widespread debate, with many viewing El-Rufai’s critique as a wake-up call for political reform, while others see it as a reflection of internal tensions within the APC.

Observers now await further reactions from the party’s leadership and stakeholders as calls for stronger governance structures and reforms grow louder.