A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has openly declared that former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, is superior to all of President Bola Tinubu’s ministers in terms of intellect, boldness, and competence.
In a strongly worded statement shared on his official Facebook page, Igbokwe questioned why the former governor was sidelined in the current administration despite his significant contributions to the APC’s electoral victory.
“All things considered, APC Nigeria needs the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. He worked so hard for APC during the 2023 Presidential and Governorship Elections,” Igbokwe wrote.
El-Rufai’s Rift With Tinubu’s Administration
El-Rufai, once a key figure in the ruling party, has recently distanced himself from the APC, expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s direction. During a public event in Abuja, he criticized the party for abandoning its founding principles and failing to uphold internal democracy.
“I no longer recognize the APC because it has derailed from its original vision,” El-Rufai reportedly declared, triggering backlash from loyalists of the president.
Some of Tinubu’s supporters, including political commentator Reno Omokri, have not held back in their criticism of the former governor. Omokri accused El-Rufai of misgoverning Kaduna State and fostering insecurity, branding him a “bloodthirsty tyrant” who allegedly allowed violence to thrive in the state.
The Controversy Surrounding El-Rufai’s Ministerial Nomination
El-Rufai was initially nominated for a ministerial position, specifically the Ministry of Power, in Tinubu’s cabinet. However, his nomination was stalled in the Senate, reportedly due to security concerns raised by government agencies.
Joe Igbokwe, however, sees the failed appointment as a significant loss for the party. He argued that El-Rufai’s role in securing APC’s victory in the 2023 elections should have earned him a place in Tinubu’s government.
“I am a witness to how Governor El-Rufai, former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, and one other governor intervened to stop the criminal Emefiele’s dubious money policy that was targeted at PBAT, which nearly truncated PBAT’s victory,” Igbokwe stated.
He further emphasized El-Rufai’s efforts in ensuring the APC retained Kaduna State, highlighting the injustice of denying him a ministerial appointment.
“El-Rufai was nominated as a minister, and we allowed shenanigans and people without honor to stop his nomination for reasons we do not know. If reality is to prevail, he was supposed to take a bow, just walk away,” he lamented.
Is El-Rufai APC’s Biggest Loss?
In his post, Igbokwe challenged Tinubu’s administration to compare El-Rufai’s credentials with those of the current ministers, suggesting that none could match his intellect and governance skills.
“Who among all the Ministers in the Federal Cabinet is greater, smarter, bolder, more clever, proficient, and deeper than Mallam El-Rufai?” he asked rhetorically.
He also described El-Rufai as a “scholar in the finest and best tradition,” warning the APC against ignoring such a valuable asset.
“For whatever reasons, APC Nigeria must not ignore this great man. We cannot afford to lose him to the rival party. He is one of the strong characters we cannot afford to lose at a time like this,” Igbokwe added.
Background: El-Rufai’s Political Journey
Nasir El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was a central figure in APC’s emergence as Nigeria’s ruling party. His tenure as Kaduna State governor (2015–2023) was marked by sweeping reforms, infrastructural development, and controversial policies.
While praised for his economic policies, El-Rufai’s administration faced criticism over its handling of security challenges in Kaduna State. His tenure saw numerous violent attacks by bandits, kidnappers, and insurgents, leading to accusations that he failed to address the crisis effectively.
His fallout with Tinubu’s government further underscores the internal divisions within the APC, as some key players appear to be sidelined despite their contributions to the party’s success.
