“El-Rufai Should Quit Sulking, Get a Grip, and Salvage Some Respectability” – APC Fires Back Over Ministerial Snub Claims

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following his recent criticism of the party during an interview with BBC Hausa. El-Rufai accused the APC of straying from its progressive roots and being overtaken by self-serving politicians.

In a statement released on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC dismissed the former governor’s comments as disingenuous and driven by personal disappointment. The statement, shared via the party’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, described El-Rufai as “blinded by ego” and accused him of launching a smear campaign due to his failed bid for a ministerial appointment in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“El-Rufai stands diminished as the epitome of a self-interested politician, blinded by ego, driven by untamed emotion, and brimming with a vengeful desire to collapse the system,” Morka stated.

According to the APC, El-Rufai’s narrative about the party losing its way is merely a cover for his political frustration. The party questioned the sincerity of his move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), challenging him to explain how the SDP reflects the progressive ideology he claims to champion.

The party also defended President Tinubu’s administration, pointing to policy reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate unification, and increased foreign investment as signs of progress. “El-Rufai’s claim that Tinubu has failed is as outrageous as it is bogus,” the statement said, adding that the administration is delivering on its campaign promises across key sectors.

The APC urged El-Rufai to focus on constructive political engagement rather than personal attacks. “Rather than engaging in scurrilous propaganda and deliberate misinformation, El-Rufai should offer constructive criticism or alternative policies as expected of serious-minded political opposition,” Morka said.

Concluding the statement, the APC advised the former governor to accept his current political standing and move on. “El-Rufai is free to choose his political affiliation as he has done. He should quit sulking, get a grip, and salvage some respectability.”