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APC has attacked former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over his alleged attempts to rally northern leaders against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
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El-Rufai has been meeting with opposition figures, including Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
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The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, accused El-Rufai of stoking ethnic agenda and described him as an “overrated ethnic champion”.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday attacked the immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.
Indications emerged that the former Federal Capital Territory minister was rallying northern leaders and bigwigs against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 poll.
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, accused El-Rufai of stoking ethnic agenda over his failure to get a cabinet appointment.
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“I have told you before and am still telling you again that we are concerned about our affairs in the APC. For parties in Nigeria, it is free exit and free entry. So anybody is free to exit if he wants to exit. But we will not dignify such moves with any comment for now,” Basiru said.
He further described El-Rufai as “an overrated ethnic champion” who is always ready to pitch northern politicians against their southern counterparts.
“We understand that sectional politics is what makes some people tick. Unfortunately, he (El-Rufai) is not thinking about the development of the country but is stoking up the ethnic nationality agenda. This South versus North posture shows that all along, he has been overrated as a person,” Basiru added.
El-Rufai has been meeting with various northern political leaders and opposition figures, including the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
He joined Atiku’s entourage during a condolence visit to the family of the elder statesman and leader of Niger Delta, Chief Edwin Clark, last Friday.
Speaking during the visit, El-Rufai praised Atiku, saying, “Nobody gives Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the credit for economic policy-making under Obasanjo’s administration.
Many of the things we did were under his leadership. Maybe because we don’t write about it, and people don’t read history, we tend to forget. We only remember negative things. Maybe, it’s part of human nature.”
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, welcomed El-Rufai’s overtures, saying the party is open to working with any Nigerian who shares its values.
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“The membership of our party comes from the ward and local government, and the party is open with free entry and exit. We have already established the PDP as the only political party with the true interests of the people and any Nigerians who are willing to align with our constitution, placing people first and respecting our policies and the rule of law, will be welcome to work with us,” Ologunagba said.
He praised the PDP as a party of principles and a platform that provides opportunities for Nigerians.
“The PDP is a party with a constitution that fosters peace. We don’t need to know someone to be a part of the party. If you’re accepted as a member, you belong, and there is no favouritism. This is why it is called the Peoples Democratic Party. Unlike others, you won’t find that kind of favouritism in our party. We stand by our principles and our constitution, and no one individual is bigger than the PDP,” Ologunagba added.
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