By Daily Sports Nigeria on January 28, 2025

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has launched a scathing critique of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of forsaking its founding ideals and perpetuating ineffective leadership.

Speaking at a national conference in Abuja aimed at strengthening democracy in Nigeria, El-Rufai labelled the current state of governance and opposition in the country a “national emergency.”

He expressed deep concern over the lack of internal democracy and active party structures within the APC, stating, “I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has convened in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. It’s unclear if we are dealing with a one-man show; it feels more like a zero-man show.”

The former governor condemned the calibre of leadership emerging from political parties, attributing this to the presence of unqualified delegates.

“We cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and deceitful individuals in leadership roles. This is why we end up with the subpar leadership we see today,” he asserted.

El-Rufai called on political parties to establish more rigorous standards for candidates and delegates, stressing that the constitution’s minimum requirement of a secondary school certificate should not be adequate for party nominations.

Reflecting on the founding vision of the APC, he reminded attendees that the party was initially created to combat corruption, revitalise the economy, and enhance security. However, he lamented that those goals have been abandoned.

“The issues that prompted the establishment of the APC remain unresolved, and I no longer believe the APC is committed to addressing them. The gap between me and the party continues to widen,” he revealed.

El-Rufai also urged opposition parties to unite and create a broad coalition to challenge the ruling party and safeguard democracy.

“There are internal mercenaries within the PDP, hired and incentivised to undermine the party. The Labour Party encounters similar challenges. Peter Obi himself confided in me, ‘I don’t know what’s happening in the party I contested with.’

“It appears there is a deliberate agenda to dismantle opposition parties,” he alleged.

Citing a poll that indicated 75% of registered voters might abstain from the 2027 elections, El-Rufai warned of a looming crisis.

“This is perilous. For those of us who have endured half our lives under military rule, we understand the implications. We do not desire military rule, but we also reject civilians behaving like the military in their babbar riga and suits,” he cautioned.

He implored opposition parties to put aside their differences and forge a united front to preserve democracy.

“This is a national emergency, and we must act before history repeats itself,” he concluded.

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted January 28, 2025

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