A political analyst, Imran Wakili, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) betrayed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai despite the prominent role he played in the party’s rise to power ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Wakili made the claim in a post on his verified X handle on Monday, arguing that El-Rufai was one of the key political figures who helped build the alliances that eventually produced Tinubu as President and Uba Sani as Governor of Kaduna State.
His comments come amid the continued detention of El-Rufai by anti-corruption agencies, a development that has generated political debate and mixed reactions from supporters and critics of the former governor.
In the post, Wakili maintained that El-Rufai deserved greater loyalty from the APC and those who benefited from his political influence.
According to him, the former Kaduna governor made significant contributions to the party’s electoral victories but has now been abandoned.
“Whatever way you look at it, Mallam El-Rufai was betrayed by Tinubu and the APC,” Wakili wrote.
He added that El-Rufai was one of the principal political bridge builders whose efforts contributed to Tinubu’s emergence as Nigeria’s president and Uba Sani’s victory in the Kaduna State governorship election.
“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was one of the principal bridge builders who helped Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu reach Aso Villa and Uba Sani emerge at Sir Kashim House. Alhamdulillah,” he stated.
According to Wakili, one of the leaders who benefited from El-Rufai’s support publicly referred to him as a mentor, while another appealed to him to remain within the political fold and help implement the Renewed Hope agenda of the Tinubu administration.
Without mentioning names directly, Wakili argued that history would continue to recognise El-Rufai’s contributions regardless of current political developments.
“One publicly described him as a mentor, while the other appealed to him not to walk away, but to stay and help deliver the ‘Renewed Hope’ vision for Nigeria.
“History cannot be rewritten, no matter how hard anyone tries to distort it. Facts remain facts,” he added.
Wakili’s remarks come at a time when El-Rufai remains in the custody of anti-corruption agencies over allegations that are currently under investigation.
The agencies have not concluded their investigations, and no court has found the former governor guilty of any offence.
His detention has continued to attract reactions from politicians, civil society groups and supporters across the country.
Some have called for due process and a speedy conclusion of the investigation, while others insist that anti-corruption agencies should be allowed to carry out their work without political interference.
El-Rufai served as Governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 under the platform of the APC after previously serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Known for his outspoken style and controversial reforms, he played a visible role in the APC’s campaign ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
He was widely regarded as one of the influential northern politicians who supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition during the party’s primary election and the general election campaign.
After President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, El-Rufai was nominated as a minister.
However, the Senate did not confirm his nomination after citing security concerns.
Following that development, El-Rufai gradually distanced himself from the APC leadership and later became increasingly critical of some actions of the party and the Federal Government.
His political relationship with some APC leaders has since remained strained.
The former governor has continued to attract attention within Nigeria’s political landscape because of his influence in northern politics and his involvement in major political negotiations over the years.
The APC has not officially responded to Wakili’s latest comments.
Similarly, neither the Presidency nor Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has reacted publicly to the allegations made by the political analyst.
The Renewed Hope agenda, referred to in Wakili’s post, is the policy framework introduced by President Tinubu’s administration to drive economic reforms, infrastructure development, security improvement and social welfare programmes.
As political discussions continue, observers say the controversy surrounding El-Rufai’s detention and his relationship with the APC is likely to remain a subject of public interest.
Whether the claims of betrayal are accepted or rejected, the debate has once again highlighted the changing alliances and internal power struggles that often shape Nigeria’s political landscape after elections.