Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has fired back at Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, over his remarks on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
El-Rufai recently criticized the APC, stating that the party has deviated from its core values and lamenting that no major party organ had convened in two years.
Speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, he said:
“I am a founding member of the APC. But frankly, I no longer recognize the party. No caucus, no NEC meetings—nothing. I don’t even know if it’s a one-man show or a zero-man show.”
Reacting to this, Bwala questioned whether el-Rufai would have voiced the same criticism had he been part of Tinubu’s cabinet.
El-Rufai’s Response
In a post on X on January 30, el-Rufai dismissed Bwala’s remarks, stating that his views on the APC would have remained unchanged even if he was in government.
“If I had remained in the Tinubu government, I would have said or done the same about the tragedy within a party I co-founded. I would first address concerns privately and then go public if no remedial action was taken,” he wrote.
El-Rufai emphasized that he had informed President Tinubu from the outset that he was not interested in any political appointment.
“I was a cabinet minister 22 years ago and was clear to Asiwaju that I was not interested in any position in his government,” he stated.
Taking a swipe at Bwala and other supporters of the Tinubu administration, he said:
“The way you latter-day converts of the Tinubu government make an issue out of something I never wanted in the first place reflects your level of moral flexibility.”
“Enjoy Your Special Adviser Position”
El-Rufai further advised Bwala to focus on his role in government while prioritizing national interest over personal loyalty.
“Enjoy your special adviser position, my brother, but remember that allegiance to God and country comes first before any person or authority,” he said.
Meanwhile, in response to a follower urging him not to leave the APC, el-Rufai hinted at his dissatisfaction with the party’s direction.
“Is it not self-evident that it is the APC that has left me? I remain stuck in the ideals and vision of its founding fathers and mothers,” he replied.