In the clearest sign yet that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai is set to quit the ruling All Progressives Congress, the former governor stated that the distance between himself and the party is widening, accusing the party of abandoning its founding principles and ideals.
Speaking at a national conference in Abuja on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, El-Rufai described the state of governance and opposition in the country as a “national emergency.”
El-Rufai lamented the lack of internal democracy and active party structures within the APC, saying that he no longer recognizes the APC. He pointed out that no APC party organ including the NEC and the National Caucus has met in two years. “You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show”, El-Rufai lamented.
The former governor also decried the quality of leadership emerging from political parties, attributing it to illiterate and cunning leaders.
“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,” he said.
El-Rufai urged political parties to set higher standards for candidates and delegates, noting that the constitution’s minimum requirement of a secondary school certificate should not suffice for party nominations.
Speaking about the APC and the party’s foundation, El-Rufai said the APC was originally established to combat corruption, rebuild the economy, and enhance security. He went ahead to say that the APC have abandoned those goals.
“The problems that led to the creation of the APC remain unresolved, but I no longer believe the APC is interested in addressing them. The distance between me and the party is widening,” he revealed.
El-Rufai also urged opposition parties to unite and form a broad coalition to challenge the ruling party and protect democracy.
“There are internal mercenaries in the PDP, hired and motivated to destroy the party. The Labour Party is also facing similar issues. Peter Obi himself told me, ‘I don’t know what’s happening in the party I contested with.’ There seems to be a deliberate project to destroy opposition parties.
“This is dangerous. For those of us who lived half our lives under military rule, we know what it is. We don’t want a military rule, but we also don’t want civilians behaving like the military in their babbar riga and suits,” he said.
El-Rufai appealed to opposition parties to set aside their differences and form a united front to save democracy.
“This is a national emergency, and we must act before history repeats itself,” he concluded.