The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s recent claims that the party has abandoned its progressive ideals, attributing his exit to personal grievance over a failed ministerial bid.
In a BBC Hausa interview, El-Rufai alleged the APC now prioritizes self-interest over public good, echoing his past critiques of politicians willing to “collapse the system” if their demands go unmet. However, the APC, in a statement by National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, Esq., labeled El-Rufai the “epitome of self-interest,” driven by ego and vengeance after President Bola Tinubu withheld his ministerial appointment.
The party rejected El-Rufai’s assertion of ideological divergence as baseless, questioning how his new platform, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), aligns with principled politics. It condemned his call for opposition members to join the SDP as an appeal to “drink from a chalice poisoned by delusion and selfishness,” asserting Nigerians recognize his motives as self-serving.
Highlighting its robust growth, the APC emphasized its commitment to founding values and President Tinubu’s transformative agenda, which has spurred sustainable development. It cited landmark achievements, including fuel subsidy removal (saving ₦4 trillion annually), exchange rate unification boosting forex reserves, and tax reforms elevating non-oil revenues. GDP growth surged to 3.8% in Q4 2024, with a $14.31 billion trade surplus reflecting economic diversification. State and local governments also benefit from increased FAAC allocations, enhancing grassroots development.
The APC defended Tinubu’s progress, noting Nigeria’s upward trajectory in foreign investment, oil exports (1.8 million barrels daily), and global economic acclaim. It urged El-Rufai to abandon “grudge-laden tirades” and offer constructive criticism instead of undermining national progress.
Concluding, the APC reaffirmed its focus on governance and inclusivity, urging El-Rufai to “quit sulking, get a grip, and salvage respectability” rather than peddle divisive rhetoric.
