A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has urged the ruling party to prioritize retaining former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, despite his recent criticism of the party’s internal democracy.
El-Rufai had recently distanced himself from the APC, claiming that the party no longer upholds democratic principles. His statement triggered a reaction from the APC leadership, which dismissed his remarks as a ploy to maintain political relevance ahead of the 2027 elections.
In response, Igbokwe, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, stressed that El-Rufai remains an indispensable figure within the party, arguing that he is “more clever, smarter, and bolder” than all the current ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
El-Rufai’s Role in Tinubu’s 2023 Victory
Igbokwe recalled that El-Rufai, alongside former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and another unnamed governor, played a crucial role in countering what he described as a “dubious” monetary policy orchestrated by former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, which he claims was designed to undermine Tinubu’s presidential bid.
According to Igbokwe, El-Rufai’s strategic interventions not only contributed to Tinubu’s electoral victory but also helped the APC retain power in Kaduna State. He expressed disappointment that despite these contributions, El-Rufai was sidelined when he was nominated for a ministerial position.
Senate’s Rejection of El-Rufai’s Ministerial Nomination
El-Rufai was initially nominated as a minister in Tinubu’s cabinet but was not confirmed by the Senate due to undisclosed security concerns. Igbokwe criticized this decision, arguing that El-Rufai deserved automatic confirmation based on his political track record.
He stated:
“El-Rufai was nominated as a minister, yet we allowed people without honor to block his confirmation in the Senate. If reality were to prevail, he should have been allowed to take a bow and leave.”
A Call to Retain El-Rufai in the APC
Igbokwe warned that the APC must not neglect a political figure of El-Rufai’s caliber, stressing that the party cannot afford to lose him to an opposition party. He described the former governor as a “stormy petrel with loads of capacity and capability” and called on the APC leadership to recognize his importance.
He concluded:
“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 need at a time like this.”
El-Rufai’s future in the APC remains uncertain, but his recent remarks and the party’s response indicate growing tensions within the ruling party. Whether the APC leadership will heed Igbokwe’s call to reconcile with him remains to be seen.
