Presidential media aide Daniel Bwala has taken a swipe at former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent remarks criticizing the All Progressives Congress (APC) for lacking internal democracy and active party structures.
El-Rufai, speaking at a national conference in Abuja on Monday, declared that he no longer recognizes the ruling party, describing it as a "one-man show" and condemning its leadership.
"You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today," El-Rufai stated.
Bwala Fires Back: ‘Would You Have Said This in Tinubu’s Government?’
Responding via X (formerly Twitter), Bwala challenged El-Rufai’s sudden change of stance, hinting that the ex-governor’s exclusion from Tinubu’s cabinet might have influenced his criticism.
“My Senior Brother, if you were to be in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position? History is replete with examples. It is a government you participated in its formation that you now want to unseat. Haba Mallam.”
El-Rufai’s Rocky Political Trajectory
El-Rufai played a crucial role in securing Tinubu’s APC presidential ticket for the 2023 elections, leading a coalition of northern powerbrokers who pushed for a power shift to the South. He publicly backed Tinubu over northern aspirants, including ex-Senate President Ahmad Lawan and former Jigawa Governor Mohammed Badaru.
However, after Tinubu’s victory, El-Rufai’s political fortunes took a downturn. Though initially nominated for a ministerial position, he was rejected by the Senate in August 2023, allegedly due to security concerns raised by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Since then, El-Rufai has distanced himself from APC leadership, avoiding party gatherings and meetings at Aso Rock. His political alignment has sparked speculation, especially after being spotted with Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftains, though he has dismissed rumors of defection.
El-Rufai vs Kaduna’s New Leadership
Adding to his political woes, El-Rufai has fallen out with his successor, Governor Uba Sani, who has initiated a state assembly probe into alleged corruption during El-Rufai’s eight-year tenure. The former governor has denied any wrongdoing.
As tensions continue to build within APC, Bwala’s sharp retort underscores the growing divide between Tinubu’s government and some of its former key allies.
