Tag: El-Rufai

  • 2027: Tread softly, perish your presidential ambitions, APC cautions Atiku, el-Rufai

    2027: Tread softly, perish your presidential ambitions, APC cautions Atiku, el-Rufai

    Abuja—The National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Garba Muhammad, has cautioned former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and ex-governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, to tread softly ahead of the 2027 general election.

    Muhammad, who hails from Kaduna State and served as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Sabon Gari federal constituency for 16 years, had in an open letter, told Atiku to “perish the thought of another presidential contest” and remain the statesman he was, noting that he had been contesting for the presidency since 1993.

    Muhammad said: “As we approach the next general elections, you are at it again. However, this time around, having sensed that your party, the PDP, may not cede the presidential ticket to you, you are now considering joining forces with some aggrieved politicians to form a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
    “For you, Alhaji Atiku, our former vice president, my free-hearted advice is, in your best interest and the interest of Nigerians, it is better you drop the idea of contesting for president in 2027, by which time you would have already turned 80 years.

    “The Wazirin Adamawa, you should rather remain the elder statesman that you currently are. Methinks you shouldn’t waste your time and resources. At least, you should take your cue from another former Vice President, Arc. Muhammad Namadi Sambo, who has been operating in the background and remains an elder statesman since he left office in 2015.”

    Muhammad said Atiku should not listen to some politicians, such as former Kaduna governor, El-rufai who “are dangling the carrot of a coalition” to him ahead of 2027.

    “In truth, even if you contest, you have nothing new to offer. Remember, you are also a proponent of subsidy removal. It is on record that, as vice president, you spearheaded the privatisation of some key national assets when you chaired the committee on privatisation during Obasanjo’s administration, while former Governor El-rufai was the Director General of the Bureau for Public Privatization, BPP.”

    To el-rufai, the APC chieftain, who is also the chairman of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Governing Board, he urged the former Kaduna State governor to reconcile with the APC since he was a founding member of the party who toiled to see its success.

    The former lawmaker said: “It is on record that you were part of the founding members of the APC. Having worked for the party tirelessly and served as governor under its platform for eight years, it is rather worrisome that you decided to leave APC at this critical point.

    “While still serving as governor in 2022, during one of your media chats, you averred that “the moment I leave APC, then I have quit politics altogether.” At this critical point, you should ponder and reconcile with the APC or quit politics altogether.

    “The world knows that it was you who announced that you were not interested in any position in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Why should you turn to a critic overnight just because you perceived things were not going your way when you had unfettered access to the leadership of the party and the president?”
    “As someone who was once close to you, I want to advise you to refrain from using emotions, sentiments and unsubstantiated claims/allegations in politics.

    “I would like to tell you for free that no PDP governor will join the SDP because their party already has a structure on ground. Who will leave certainty to uncertainty? You may end up committing a serious political miscalculation.

    “Frankly speaking, I think you should reflect deeply. One would expect that as a leading figure who supported the presidency to go to the South in 2023, you would support the zone to finish its eight years before canvassing for the rotation of the position to the north.”

    He said both Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Governor Uba Sani had been working assiduously and harmoniously for the benefit of Kaduna State.

    “Governor Uba Sani’s leadership style also attracted the likes of former governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero; Senator Danjuma Laah; Senator Caleb Zegi; former PDP national organising secretary, Abubakar Mustapha; Amb. Sule Buba; Prof. Dogara Mato; member representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba federal constituency, Amos Magaji Gwamna, and the member for Igabi federal constituency, Hussaini Jalo, among others.

    “We enjoy relative peace in Kaduna State today due to the kind of inclusive leadership of Governor Uba Sani, especially the rural areas,’’ he added

    He stated further that the North West had never had it this good under any administration, saying “currently in the North-West, we have speaker of the House of Representatives from Kaduna State and the Deputy President of the Senate from Kano State.

    ‘’It has never happened in the history of Nigeria where two presiding officers of the National Assembly came from the same zone. We also have the national chairman of our great party from Kano State.

    “Additionally, the North West also got 12 ministerial appointments, some of whom are manning critical ministries, such as the two ministers of defence; budget and national planning; environment; two ministers of housing; culture and creative economy; ministers of state for FCT, education and works etcetera.

    ‘’The zone also has the two service chiefs – the chief of defence staff from Kaduna State, and the chief of air staff from Kano State.’’

  • ‘Drop merger talks’ – El-Rufai tells Atiku, Obi, Aregbesola to join SDP

    ‘Drop merger talks’ – El-Rufai tells Atiku, Obi, Aregbesola to join SDP

    Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    In a recent interview with BBC Hausa which went viral on Saturday, El-Rufai dismissed the idea of a merger, instead urging key opposition figures—including former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi—to join the SDP to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

    “My wishes and prayers are Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf, all opposition leaders to come and join SDP, not to do a merger or to register a new political party,” he said.

    El-Rufai explained that he initially supported Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election because of the former Lagos governor’s accomplishments, hoping he would replicate similar success nationwide.

    “What pains me is that the government we supported and had confidence in would do well because we saw what Tinubu did in Lagos despite his challenges,” he said.

    “We all know about his issues in Chicago, but we thought if he could replicate his work in Lagos for Nigeria, let’s support him. However, he failed.”

    Addressing speculation about his presidential ambition in 2027, El-Rufai stated that the decision was not his to make but would depend on the party and the will of the people.

    “It is not for me to decide; it is the party and the people that will decide. Even when I was contesting for governor, it was people that met and convinced (Muhammadu) Buhari, and he called me and asked me to contest,” he said.

    El-Rufai resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 10, citing a misalignment of values with the ruling party.

  • APC dismisses El-Rufai’s allegation of running one-man show

    APC dismisses El-Rufai’s allegation of running one-man show

    ABUJA — THE All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday night debunked the claims by some opposition elements that it operates as a one-man show.

    Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma dismissed the allegations while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the first caucus meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

    Governor Uzodimma said that the APC’s diverse representation across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including governors from various states at the meeting, underscored its inclusive nature.

    He explained that the party’s structure, as outlined in its constitution, includes multiple leadership positions and a hierarchical framework that ensures broad participation in decision-making processes.

    According to him: “Our party is united, stronger, focused, and supportive of the government. We need to celebrate our own. The government is heavily supported by the APC, and from time to time, we must show that we are behind the government.”

    APC chieftain and former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, earlier accused the party of running a one-man show without regard for democratic processes.

    Addressing concerns about internal democracy, Uzodimma contended that, “APC is a very large political party with executives at all levels. We have our internal mechanism for selection and executing democracy. Why are we winning all these elections? It’s because we have demonstrated high capacity and respect for democracy.”

    Regarding allegations of exclusion, he said: “I don’t believe in hypothesis. I believe in practical things. Look at the governors from different zones here. What is the meaning of inclusivity when we have representation from all geopolitical zones?”

    He further added, “You see the governor of Lagos, the governor of Edo, the governor of Sokoto. We are represented across board.”

    On the allegation that the ruling party was running a “one-man show”, Uzodimma dismissed it by highlighting the diverse participation in party activities.

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    He said: “I don’t know what is the meaning of inclusivity when the six geopolitical zones are represented,” he reiterated.

    On the party’s performance and future plans, the Imo State governor said: “As we speak, we are now better off in terms of revenue generation, in terms of getting more money to do more infrastructure, social change, and other economic dynamics. The APC is the party to beat and the envy of other political parties, not only in Nigeria but even in Africa.”

    The APC has also launched a new Progressive Institute, which serves as the intellectual arm of the party. Uzodimma praised this initiative, saying, “You must have heard that there is a new progressive Institute initiated and built by our party, and that is the intellectual arm of the party where researches are being done, and other training of manpower building and the intellectual capacity being built by the Institute.”

    President Tinubu’s efforts in managing insecurity were also commended during the meeting.

    “The President has done very well in terms of managing insecurity in the country, as testified today by one of our members in Zamfara State, where there is relative peace. Now, people are going about their businesses. Farmers have gone back to their farms in the southeast,” Uzodimma said.

    The meeting, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, brought together key party leaders, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje.

    Uzodinma, who chairs the Progressive Governors’ Forum, noted that the APC’s structure ensures broad participation in decision-making processes, contradicting claims of a single individual dominating the party.

    Uzodinma also emphasised the party’s commitment to internal democracy, citing upcoming elections and the selection of candidates as examples of its democratic processes.

    The APC’s recent successes in elections, he argued, demonstrate its respect for democratic principles and processes.

    The APC is set to hold a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting following the caucus, focusing on key party issues such as a non-elective convention and the establishment of The Progressive Institute among others.

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  • Nigeria facing existential threat — El- Rufai

    Nigeria facing existential threat — El- Rufai

    ABUJA- FORMER Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufia, has said Nigeria was currently facing existential threat.

    He also noted that the Niger Delta had been playing the role of holding the country together.

    El- Rufai, who spoke during a condolence visit to the residence of the late Chief Edwin Clark in Abuja, said the nation’s democracy was also in great danger, and called on all people of goodwill to come together to ensure the country does not implode.

    He said Clark’s leadership role   in   rallying the people of the Niger Delta, has contributed to the sustainability, growth and development of the country.

    According to him, if the Midwest  had joined Biafra during the civil war, Nigeria would have gone. He said the Mid West could not have played   that role but for patriotic individuals, such as the late General Samuel Ogbemudia, Major David Ejoor and Chief Edwin Clark, among others.

    The former Kaduna governor said:  “Our nation, our democracy is in great danger, it is facing existential threat and  the Niger Delta has been the glue that has been holding the country together. All people of goodwill must come together to ensure that we have good leadership,”

    El- Rufai, urged the people   of the Niger Delta to continue with the good work of Pa Clark, affirming that   he (Clark) really played a fatherly role through out his lifetime.

    He said:  “I think the legacy of E.K. Clark and the work he has done should remind us all of the importance of being courageous, standing up for justice and risking everything for Nigeria.

    “I’ve been working on a project to write about the legacies of our six living former Presidents of Nigeria. Nigeria is very lucky. We are the only country in the world with six former presidents still alive, still active.

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    ‘’I thought we are not making the best use of their experiences as well as their mistakes.  So, from January last year, I started research and I reached all the former Presidents and we are working on publishing this book, by the grace of God, by the middle of next year because it requires doing several years of research, but then also interviewing the former Presidents and asking them some difficult questions.

    ‘’One of the questions I was going to ask President Babangida was June 12, he has answered it but there are more I want to ask him when the time comes.

    “I am happy to say that all the former Presidents have agreed on the project they think is important because we tend to forget what good things our leaders have done, but only remember one or two of their mistakes.

    ‘’Taking Babangida as an example, people don’t realize that the three largest banks in Nigeria today did not exist before Babangida. It was Babangida that licenced Guarantee Trust Bank, Access and Zenith Banks. These are the three largest banks in Nigeria. They didn’t exist before Babangida came but nobody gives him the credit.”

    “So, these books we want to write are to tease out some of this. Nobody gives Vice President Atiku Abubakar the credit for leading the economic policy making under the Obasanjo’s administration. Many of the things we heard under the economic team under his leadership; maybe because we don’t write a lot, and people don’t read history, we tend to forget, we only remember negative things.

    “I think it’s part of human nature to remember only negative things, to forget positive things. I’m honoured and humbled to come with Vice President Atiku Abubakar to condole this family and commend the works that E.K. Clark has done.

    ‘’I call on you as a family to please continue this good work. The legacies of E.K. Clark, particularly my brother … and we have worked very closely together.

    “Let me begin with condolences to the family. I’ve already called the family to condole them because I was not in the country when this happened. And I was very happy when this opportunity presented itself for us to be here.

    ‘’Chief E.K. Clark was not just an Ijaw leader or Niger Delta leader; he was a father to all of us. I first met him when I returned from exile. By then President Jonathan was acting President.  And all persons of goodwill were looking for solutions to stabilize the country and Chief Clark called me, and I came to the house and we had discussions, and by the grace of God, the country was stabilized.

    “But today, we can only celebrate the contributions of Chief E.K. Clark. Those of us old enough knew when he was the federal commissioner then. He was a distinguished Nigerian who fought for justice for everyone. He spoke for justice, and was very vocal and courageous in his convictions.

    “He never keeps quiet whenever he sees injustice anywhere and injustice to one is injustice to all, as far as Chief E.K. Clark was concerned. So, I have been a regular visitor here and we have worked together on many issues, under the leadership of chief and as our Oga has said, I think the country has lost an icon. May his soul rest in perfect peace, amen!’

    ‘’For those that want to see Nigeria break up, or engage in violence, or ethnic or religious violence, I worked with Ebi on a committee trying to improve the electricity supply situation under the leadership Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

    ‘’I was very impressed with his intellect, with his knowledge. He was representing the CBN but he was the brain behind everything you’ve seen the CBN did, as far as power sector intervention was concerned.’’

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  • I Urge The Public to Disregard El-Rufai’s Statement Against Me, I’m Too Busy For Media Battle – Nuhu Ribadu

    I Urge The Public to Disregard El-Rufai’s Statement Against Me, I’m Too Busy For Media Battle – Nuhu Ribadu

    National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has denied accusations made by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who alleged that Ribadu was orchestrating a campaign to tarnish his reputation in anticipation of a potential 2031 presidential bid.

    During an interview with Arise TV on Monday, El-Rufai claimed that Ribadu was collaborating with Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to damage his image.

    “This project of destroying Nasir el-Rufai is Nuhu Ribadu’s conception. He is the architect and builder of that project. He is the one working with Uba Sani to implement it. So far, it has been frustrating for them,” he had said.

    He described Ribadu as the “architect” of a plot against him, asserting that efforts to undermine him had so far been unsuccessful.

    In response, Ribadu issued a statement via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday evening, dismissing the claims and emphasizing that he had no involvement in any such scheme.

    The statement reads, “My attention has been drawn to the interview granted by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Monday evening.”

    “If my silence would not be misinterpreted as consent, I would have ignored him,” Ribadu stated. “I am too preoccupied with my current assignment to engage in a media battle with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else.”

    He reiterated that he had never discussed running for president in 2031 and remained fully committed to supporting the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, I want to put it on record that I have never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody. All my focus and energy are geared completely towards the advancement of Nigeria and the success of President Tinubu’s administration.”

    The NSA stressed that, despite repeated provocations, he had never spoken negatively about El-Rufai out of respect for their past relationship and their families. He urged the public to disregard the former governor’s remarks, reaffirming his dedication to national service.

    “Despite the incessant baiting and attacks I have never spoken ill of Nasir on record anywhere. This is out of respect for our past association and our respective families. I will not start today. I, however, urge the public to disregard El-rufai’s statements against me.”

  • El-Rufai Criticizes Tinubu’s Appointments – They Are Imbalance, Appointees Are His Boys

    El-Rufai Criticizes Tinubu’s Appointments – They Are Imbalance, Appointees Are His Boys

    Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has expressed concerns over the pattern of appointments made by President Bola Tinubu since assuming office, accusing him of favoring close associates from Lagos.

    Speaking in an interview with Arise TV on Monday, El-Rufai alleged that Tinubu’s appointments lacked balance, emphasizing that the issue should not be attributed to the entire South-West but to the president’s personal choices. “President Tinubu’s appointments are quite imbalanced,” he stated.

    “The president’s appointments are not being made because the appointees are Yoruba, but because they are his own boys, and most of the appointments do not even reasonably cover the South-West.”

    “Don’t blame the South-West for what one individual is doing. These appointments are not about ethnicity but rather about loyalty—most of the appointees are his close associates, primarily from Lagos.”

    El-Rufai cautioned against generalizing the president’s actions as a regional issue, urging Nigerians to focus on individual accountability rather than blaming an entire ethnic group.

    “People should stop confusing the truth. The appointments are not balanced. That is undeniable,” he continued. “However, this is not a Yoruba issue. Please do not punish the Yorubas for this, just as the North was previously blamed for the actions of military rulers.”

    He further urged President Tinubu to address the concerns and make necessary adjustments, warning of growing discontent, particularly in the northern region.

    “It’s not too late to correct this,” El-Rufai advised. “There is palpable anger in the North, and the president needs to take action.”

  • Atiku deserves more credit for economic reforms under Obasanjo’s govt – El-Rufai

    Atiku deserves more credit for economic reforms under Obasanjo’s govt – El-Rufai

    Ex-governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar deserves significant credit for leading economic reforms during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

    While he was Obasanjo’s deputy, Atiku was responsible for overseeing the privatisation of national assets. The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), led by El-Rufai at the time, operated under his supervision.

    During a condolence visit on Friday to the family of Edwin Clark, a respected elder statesman and Niger Delta advocate who died on February 17, El-Rufai praised Atiku’s influence on economic policy-making during the Obasanjo era.

    “Nobody gives Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the credit for economic policy making under the Obasanjo administration. Many of the things we did, we did under his leadership,” El-Rufai stated. “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.”

    El-Rufai’s remark marks a notable departure from his previous criticisms of Atiku. In 2016, he accused the former vice president of spreading falsehoods and even suggested that Atiku was haunted by “demons of corruption.”

    Atiku shared a video of the visit to Clark’s family on X captioned: “Today, I led a delegation that included the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai on a condolence visit to the family of foremost statesman and nationalist, Chief Edwin Clark. I prayed for comfort for the family of the man whose work was defined by his pan-Nigerian credentials.

    “I reminded them that the passing of Clark was not only a loss to the family, PANDEF, and the Niger Delta but the whole of Nigeria that he had adopted as his constituency. The best way to immortalise him is for our leaders to promote unity and inclusiveness for which he lived and died for. May his soul continue to rest in peace.”

  • 2027 Realignment: New move spells out role for Atiku, Obi, el-Rufai, Kwankwaso

    2027 Realignment: New move spells out role for Atiku, Obi, el-Rufai, Kwankwaso

    The 2027 general elections are about two years away and the realignment of forces to dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power, especially at the federal level appears to be on the upswing.

    In an interview published by Sunday Vanguard, last week, a former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, spoke about the inroads his party was making into the North in search of new political allies, hinting that the SDP leadership had met top politicians from that part of the country, including former Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, for talks.

    In another development, a former top member of the APC, Alhaji Salihu Lukman, speaks of similar efforts gathering steam. Lukman, a former Deputy National Chairman of the APC (North), in an interview monitored on Arise News, elaborates on his scheme, saying key opposition figures in the country have a role to play as they have to jettison their presidential aspirations ahead of the 2027 and provide leadership for a new political party to confront the APC.

    He urges former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who flew the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential flag in the 2023 elections, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the elections, Mr Peter Obi, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, standard bearer, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, to prioritize party building over personal ambitions.

    Lukman, who has since quit the APC, also extends the advice to former party members and opposition figures, including Mr Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State but later served as Transportation Minister under the Buhari administration; El-Rufai; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, a former governor of Ekiti State, and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State.

    According to Lukman, who was also one-time Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum, if these

    leaders set aside personal ambitions, it will prevent the imposition of candidates in 2027 and foster a stronger political alternative. Excerpts:

    You have been a key member of the APC, now you are saying Nigeria needs better leaders. What are your grievances? What do you think is wrong with the APC that you are asking all the critics and opponents of the administration to come together and push the same party out of power?

    What is wrong with the APC is what is wrong with Nigeria in my view, and I think the view of most Nigerians is that our democracy should give something much better than what we have today. I am not making any new proposals.

    If you have been following the debate during the merger negotiations that produced the APC, all these arguments have been raised about the kind of leadership a political party should have and what is required for a party to really position itself to direct elected representatives to meet the expectations of citizens. If we argue that APC has failed, the failure of APC is largely due to its inability to meet a number of some of those criteria.

    Yes, I was a member of the NWC of the APC, I was part and parcel of the APC from formation to possibly the present day but that does not disqualify some of us from highlighting some of the limitations of the APC and I think in terms of the problem of democracy, what was first the problem of Nigeria with PDP that led to the defeat of PDP in 2015? The major issue is that there was no competition within the party.

    The culture of imposition has taken over the party so much so that it is predictable anybody who has close relationship with Abuja, with the Presidency can pick ticket at any level of the party without bothering to contract relationships with other members of the party, and I think that those were some of the issues that we used to campaign against the PDP and made the APC popular and Nigerians trusted us and believed that we were capable of producing a party that could drive the process of changing Nigeria which was the campaign mantra in 2015.

    Unfortunately, I am not shy to say that we failed largely because we ended up with another variant of PDP, the culture of imposition took over.

    Yes, we fought and this is part of my grievance with President Tínubu. Asiwaju knew very well that we stood up and faced what you call the cabal in the Presidency under former President Buhari and ensured that a level-playing field was provided within the party which enabled him to win the ticket and become the presidential candidate of the party.

    So, having done that, our expectation was that we return the party to its founding vision and begin to build a party that can now implement all the campaign promises and direct all elected representatives but instead, what we see is that a more superior variant of imposition took over so much so that the party became a parastatal of the Presidency, and of the government.

    Leadership of the party cannot say anything contrary to what the President wants and so long as that is the case, we can’t make progress. Now, coming back to some of the issues which you highlighted which I raised in the last piece, is basically like an appeal to our opposition leaders (Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Amaechi, Fayemi, El-Rufai, Tambuwal, among others) because if we continue to play politics the old way, then Nigeria

    is not going to get any better. We are not going to produce better leaders.

    We will produce a new set of leaders which may continue the practice of imposition and become emperors so much so that everybody is now rushing to them to access favours in government and what have you and that is not what democracy should be about. I think one of the most important things that came out of the conference that was held last week was the statement by the former Vice President of Ghana and also a former presidential candidate.

    He made the point that politicians must be able to subordinate their personal ambition to the bigger interest of the country and I think that is where we are today and, as far as I’m concerned, if that is the case and several time, I hear people lamenting about how in the Second Republic we had an NPN (National Party of Nigeria) where the president, when it comes to party meeting, is an ordinary member and Chief Augustus Akinloye, who was the party Chairman, was the leader of the party.

    Now if we are going to get back to that, it’s not going to be after the election and after defeating Tínubu and producing a president with that mentality. It’s now that we should begin to align ourselves and ensure that in the whole campaign to defeat APC, we are not replicating exactly the mistake APC has made.

    We must tell all leaders to first drop their ambitions and, in dropping their ambitions they must also be ready to make the needed sacrifice, to commit to building the party. If your strategy is all about let’s have a party and, after having a party we will ensure that we impose our surrogates to become leaders of the party, then we are going back to square one.

    I think Nigerians should begin to watch and when they see some of these leaders taking positions in the

    party, that should give them confidence that, yes this is a new party and it’s a serious business. It is going to depart from the old ways and to that extent, therefore, the prospect of meeting the expectation of citizens will be high; other than that, I think we may just be deceiving ourselves and Nigerians and imagining that we can produce anything better.

    You’re talking about how the previous or past leaders are part of the problems that we currently have and why those responsible for the failures should be humble enough to take a backseat in an effort to build a strong coalition to strengthen Nigerian politics. What if they are not ready to take a back seat, what other alternative would you propose?

    First, I will say that it’s not a question of trying to get rid of the old guards, no. I think, fundamentally, my view and I have said that, several times, that what we have now made it only possible for leaders to show their bad side and that the only way to push leaders to put their best side, their right foot in the business of leadership will be to create the framework, strengthen the structures of political parties that will subordinate them and make them accountable.

    I have said so several times that from former president Jonathan to Buhari and now Tínubu, I believe under a different condition they may turn out to be better leaders. Unfortunately, they also contribute to a situation where they turn out the way they did. So, if we are going to depart from that, which is why I’m saying, first and foremost, we must build a political party that everybody will subordinate themselves.

    It’s possible. I give you for instance, if Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and many others can subordinate themselves and go through competitive primary… because part of the problem, is that a number of them, were not able to develop the kind of relationship that will enable them to access even good advice, you know, the strategy is basically that I want you to subordinate yourself to me but once you turn it the other way around they may turn out to be better leaders.

    Sincerely speaking, I think we should not beg the question; Nigeria deserves much better and current leaders must answer the question: What is their vision for the country? Is their vision for the country only to become president of Nigeria? We have seen that with Buhari and we have seen it now with Tínubu.

    They have become presidents, they have achieved their vision and, in the end, it’s debatable whether they are any better in terms of public standing. My appeal and my prayer is that within our lifetime we’ll be able to produce leaders who will work for the country, and on the basis that citizens who love them, and generations to come will continue to remember them.

    But you knew that President Tínubu had the conviction of “I just want to be president” when you supported the APC in the last election. Now you are talking about idealism, would you expect anything different from him?

    Well, I will continue to debate all these issues. Yes, I supported President Tínubu; however, whether I am aware his ambition was just to become president, I can say publicly that I had the conviction that Tínubu is truly a progressive politician and a democrat and which was why I invested my support for him but I didn’t wait once I saw he was departing from those beliefs I had; I didn’t wait any longer and I was not pushed by anybody.

    In fact, if anything, most of the criticism I received today is people telling me that it’s a mistake for me to have resigned, that I should have waited to fight inside. I mean, I could have only waited to compromise myself and become part of the establishment and become part of the physical structure of APC and, at the end of the day, damage myself.

    I am humble enough to admit that yes, my judgment was wrong and I said it’s a challenge to President Tínubu to prove many of us wrong and if he did that, I will be the first to come out and apologize publicly and say again I was wrong, but to the extent that he continues arrogantly in the direction he’s going without remorse, that he has departed from all the promises he has made to Nigerians, I have no apology to him.

    I’ll continue to stand and campaign against both the APC and its administration but in doing that, which leads me to your second question, life is about making choices.

    I will not shy away from making a choice simply because I made mistakes in the past. I’ll continue to make choices with my eyes wide open so as not to repeat past mistakes, which is why today I am standing where I am engaging all our political leaders in a direction all of them also should not put themselves in the line of repeating the same old mistake previous leaders have made. We are all human, nobody is perfect.

    They may have made mistakes in the past but to the extent that they are able to admit that the old ways are wrong and come and work together to produce a new reality which will now begin to push them to show their good side, I will have no problem and I think as Nigerians, we must have confidence that we can be able to get things right.

  • Coalition warns el-Rufa’i, declares support for Gov Sani

    Coalition warns el-Rufa’i, declares support for Gov Sani

    Kaduna- A coalition of Kaduna State Support Groups has declared support for Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and warned former Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i to distance himself from Kaduna government activities.

    In a statement issued after the Coalition paid a solidarity visit to the Governor of Kaduna State, Sen Uba Sani, the group, consisting of over 2000 support groups spread across Kaduna State, said they came to express their solidarity to Governor Uba Sani in light of the recent happenings in the Kaduna political space

    Speaking on behalf of the group, the Youth leader of the Coalition of APC support groups, Hon Kalamu Waheed, who represented the chairman, warned former Governor Nasir El-Rufai to stop distracting the incumbent Governor, Sen Uba Sani.

    ” We will not fold our arms and watch Malam Nasir El-Rufai trying to rock the boat in Kaduna State. Everyone has seen the unprecedented progress Governor Uba Sani is making in restoring peace to Kaduna State. He has revamped agriculture, education, and health care delivery in this state. His urban and rural communities’ developmental effort is second to none.”

    ” Everyone in Kaduna State now enjoys a sense of belonging. All these in less than two years… So anyone who attempts to distract our governor will be declared enemy number one in Kaduna State. In view of this, we are advising Malam Nasir El-Rufai and his fellow journeymen to go and enjoy their retirement from politics quietly.”

    While rsponding to the group, the Special Assistant to the governor on Support Groups, Hon Abdulsamad Chima Amadi , who received them on behalf of the governor, thanked the group for their support.

    He assured them that no amount of pressure would distract Governor Uba Sani from the excellent works heis doing in Kaduna State and promised that the governor would continue to carry along the support and other interest groups in his government.

  • Tinubu: You’re a liar, el-Rufai tells Nuhu Ribadu

    Tinubu: You’re a liar, el-Rufai tells Nuhu Ribadu

    Former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has waded into the raging controversy between the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu,  and ex-commissioner in the Police Service Commission, PSC, Hajia Naja’atu Muhammad, saying Ribadu lied that he never accused President Bola Tinubu of corruption during his time as EFCC chairman.

    He also accused the NSA, Ribadu of memory loss

    Recall that Hajia Muhammad had allegedly in a Tik Tok video, listed President Tinubu, Senators George Akume, Orji Uzor Kalu and some other former governors as those Ribadu described as very corrupt governors when he was chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    But Ribadu, through his lawyer, Dr. Ahmed Raji, SAN, demanded public apology and a retraction from Hajia Muhammad.

    Raji had in a letter to Muhammad, said the damage that had been done to the NSA as a result of the Tik Tok video was unquantifiable.

    The letter had read, among others:  “Clearly, in the text of your recording [reproduced and translated above] you stated that when our client served as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, he allegedly named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside Sen. George Akume and Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu [all former governors, and in that order] as the governors in Nigeria who stole the most from public treasury.

    “You also stated that today, our client who once held the above odious view about President Tinubu has turned around to be his staunchest defender; especially, with regard to what you stated to be the government’s agenda to silence voices of dissent to the government, citing the alleged arrest of a certain

    Prof. Usman Yusuf as an example.

    “You also stated that our client’s alleged attitudinal change towards President Tinubu means that he has either become a liar or that he lied when he allegedly described President Tinubu, Sen. Akume, Sen. Kalu and other governors as thieves.

    ‘’Privately or publicly, our client has never expressed the above viewpoint about President Tinubu and/or Senators George Akume and Orji Uzor Kalu, which you attributed to him.

    ‘’In fact, our client has never held such a viewpoint about the President,hence it came as a complete surprise to him when his attention was drawn to the aforesaid publication by you against him.

    ‘’In the foregoing premise, our client hereby challenges you to provide evidence of your allegations therein against him, which have cast him as double-faced, duplicitious and deceitful in the eyes of right-thinking members of the society.’’

    However, stepping into the matter yesterday, former Governor El-Rufai, who was

    FCT minister in 2006 when the statement accusing Tinubu of corruption was made, said records of proceedings in the Senate and even the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting would prove that Ribadu was lying.

    While noting that Ribadu was being economical with the truth, el-Rufai said “Nuhu must have serious amnesia,’’ meaning loss of memories, including facts, information and experiences.

    A report in the Daily Trust newspaper yesterday quoted el-Rufai as saying: “The record of proceedings in the Senate will confirm that Nuhu made those statements, sometime in 2006.

    ‘’The subsequent Daily Trust report of February 2007, reconfirms the essence of the statements.

    “The conclusions of the Federal Executive Council in 2006, which can be subpoenaed from the cabinet secretariat of the SGF’s office contain the allegations.

    ‘’In that special FEC meeting in which I was a member, Nuhu’s EFCC made similar presentations accusing many sitting officials, sometime in 2006. These council conclusions will further remove all doubts.

    “This is for the record and to remind the morally-flexible that at some point in our national life, silence is no longer golden.”

    Efforts to get the NSA’s reaction last night proved abortive as neither him nor his spokesman could be reached on phone.