In a dramatic exchange on social media, Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communications, has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of attempting to undermine the government he helped create. This accusation follows El-Rufai’s sharp criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state of governance in Nigeria.
El-Rufai, a key architect of the APC’s rise to power, recently took to his social media platform, X, to express his disillusionment with the party. He claimed that the APC had abandoned its founding principles and allowed poor leadership to flourish. He further painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s political climate, describing the state of governance and opposition in the country as a “national emergency.”
However, Bwala did not hold back in his response. On Tuesday, he took to the same platform, questioning El-Rufai’s loyalty and motives. In a tweet that caught the attention of many, Bwala asked, “My senior brother, if you were to be in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position?”
Bwala’s criticism didn’t stop there. He reminded the former governor that he had been part of the team that helped bring the current government into power. “It is a government you participated in its formation, that you now want to unseat,” Bwala wrote, emphasizing the perceived betrayal.
This online confrontation comes at a time when the ruling party is facing increasing criticism over governance issues, including the economic challenges plaguing the nation. El-Rufai’s words, some say, reflect growing discontent within the APC, particularly from those who feel the current administration has strayed too far from the party’s original values.
Bwala’s post has sparked a broader conversation about loyalty, political ambition, and the dynamics within Nigeria’s ruling party. For years, El-Rufai has been seen as a significant figure in Nigerian politics, known for his bold, often controversial statements. But his recent remarks against the APC and the government are being interpreted by some as a sign of discord within the party ranks.
The Background to the Tension
Nasir El-Rufai has long been a dominant figure in Nigerian politics. Having served two terms as the governor of Kaduna State, his role in the formation of the APC cannot be overstated. As a founding member of the party, El-Rufai was one of the key individuals behind the coalition that helped end the 16-year rule of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). His political acumen and reformist policies in Kaduna earned him both praise and criticism, but his influence in the party remains significant.
However, in recent months, El-Rufai has grown increasingly vocal about what he perceives as the shortcomings of the APC-led government. His recent remarks criticizing the party’s deviation from its founding principles have put him at odds with many within the APC, including those in the corridors of power.
For Bwala, who is a close ally of President Tinubu, El-Rufai’s actions are nothing short of a betrayal. “History is replete with examples,” Bwala pointed out in his tweet. His words suggest a deep frustration with El-Rufai’s perceived opportunism—participating in the creation of a government and later undermining it.
But El-Rufai’s critique of the APC goes beyond personal frustration. He has criticized the leadership style of the current administration and the party’s failure to address critical national issues. In one of his posts, El-Rufai accused the APC of abandoning the ideals it championed when it was founded, calling for a return to the party’s original vision.
This is not the first time that the APC has faced internal rifts. In the past, key members of the party have openly expressed their dissatisfaction with the direction the government is taking. While some have used public statements to voice their concerns, others, like El-Rufai, have taken a more direct approach by attacking the party’s leadership and its handling of national issues.
The APC’s Dilemma: Loyalty or Ambition?
The APC, which emerged as a political force determined to end the reign of the PDP, has faced numerous challenges since assuming power. While the party succeeded in unseating the PDP, its leadership has struggled to maintain unity. The growing chorus of dissatisfaction within the APC is not new; however, the public criticism from influential figures like El-Rufai raises questions about the party’s future.
For Bwala, El-Rufai’s actions reveal a deeper struggle for political relevance. By questioning the current government’s policies while still being associated with it, El-Rufai appears to be walking a fine line between loyalty and ambition. Many political analysts suggest that his statements could be seen as an attempt to position himself for a future political role, possibly at the expense of the current leadership.
This internal strife is particularly worrying for the APC, as the party approaches the next general election. For Bwala and others loyal to Tinubu, El-Rufai’s comments seem to serve as a reminder of the dangerous game of political survival that often involves staking claims on the future while publicly distancing oneself from the present.
The Fallout from the Public Spat
Since Bwala’s scathing response, the political landscape in Nigeria has been rife with speculation. While El-Rufai has not yet publicly responded to Bwala’s remarks, his critics within the party are eager to see how the former governor will navigate this latest controversy.
El-Rufai’s stature within the party gives him considerable influence, but it remains to be seen if his actions will further alienate him from the power structures that once supported him. As the APC faces increasing pressure to address economic and security issues, these internal divisions only add to the party’s troubles.
For Bwala, however, the matter is clear: El-Rufai’s criticisms are a betrayal of the APC’s founding ideals, and his ambitions threaten the stability of the current government. As the political drama continues to unfold, it remains uncertain whether this feud will deepen or dissipate in the face of mounting national challenges.
