By Mohammed Bello Doka
In a stunning and politically charged interview on Arise TV, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, laid bare a series of explosive revelations, leaving Nigerians questioning the very foundation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leadership. His statements, laced with mystery and defiance, have sent shockwaves across the political landscape, igniting speculations about his next move.
El-Rufai dismissed widespread claims that the National Assembly rejected him as a ministerial nominee, instead revealing that it was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself who had a change of heart. "Don't believe the story of NASS rejection. The President changed his mind from having me in his cabinet," he declared, setting the record straight on his controversial omission from Tinubu's administration.
He was quick to emphasize that his critique of APC's performance was not driven by personal grievances. "I was a minister 20 years ago; when I talk about my party underperforming, it is not because I did not make the President's cabinet," he asserted. His words hinted at deep dissatisfaction with the direction of the ruling party, raising questions about its internal cohesion and governance strategy.
Further pulling back the curtain on his political journey, El-Rufai disclosed that his entry into government was never part of his original life plan. "I came into government quite accidentally; my life was planned to be in the private sector," he admitted, suggesting that his political career was shaped by circumstances rather than ambition.
He also took aim at the notion of political entitlement, cautioning against the belief that those who contribute to electoral victories are automatically owed government positions. "The assumption that once you contribute to the success of an election, you must get a payback is wrong," he remarked pointedly, perhaps alluding to rifts within the APC ranks.
On the economy, El-Rufai expressed partial support for the government's policies but raised concerns about their execution. "I support most of the economic policies, but I think the process, steps taken, and the quality of people implementing them leave much to be decided," he said, a statement that will undoubtedly fuel debates on the administration’s approach to governance.
Perhaps one of the most cryptic moments of the interview was his revelation about President Tinubu’s birthday message to him. "The birthday wishes from the President hurt my enemies more than it made me happier," he mused, adding that he had to personally message Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga upon seeing it. This left political analysts wondering—who are these "enemies," and what does this gesture signify in the larger political chess game?
El-Rufai also exposed the ideological decay within APC, lamenting that the party has strayed from its founding principles. "I was expecting most of the former governors and party leaders to have met at least once or twice to discuss how the party has forgotten its values. I met Oyegun, Oshiomhole, and recently Abdullahi Adamu. I asked them: what happened to the values on which the party was founded? No one could give me an answer," he disclosed, delivering a damning indictment of APC’s leadership.
On his political affiliations, El-Rufai shut down rumors of any ties to the opposition. "The fact that I am in APC doesn’t mean I can’t visit a friend in SDP or PDP. In fact, two months ago, one character posted that I collected a PDP membership card, which was a lie," he clarified. However, his next words sent ripples through the political space: "Take it for sure that PDP is not a party I will ever join. PDP has gotten worse in recent times. Joining PDP is a no-no. Other parties? Maybe—if APC does not sort itself out."
This last statement has left political observers dissecting every syllable. Could El-Rufai be plotting an exit from APC? Is he positioning himself for a future political movement? While he denied having intentions to run for President "for now," his remarks suggest that the political drama surrounding him is far from over.
As the dust settles on this bombshell interview, one thing is clear—El-Rufai has once again proven himself to be an unpredictable force in Nigerian politics, and his next move could change the landscape in ways no one sees coming.