“No Minister in Tinubu’s Cabinet is Greater, Smarter, Bolder Than El-Rufai” – APC Chieftain Igbokwe

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has boldly stated that former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, is superior in intellect, courage, and capabilities compared to all the federal ministers in the current administration.

Igbokwe’s comments come after a recent fallout between El-Rufai and key figures in the APC, triggered by the former governor’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s government. During a public event in Abuja, El-Rufai declared that he no longer recognized the ruling party, accusing the APC of abandoning its founding principles and betraying internal democracy. He further criticized the party for fostering poor leadership, remarks that were met with backlash from some of Tinubu’s allies.

Among the critics, Reno Omokri, a staunch supporter of the Tinubu administration, took aim at El-Rufai, accusing him of being responsible for the deaths of residents in Kaduna State during his tenure as governor. Omokri labeled El-Rufai a “bloodthirsty tyrant” who allegedly enjoyed the violence in his state.

Despite the criticism, Igbokwe came to the defense of the former governor, highlighting the vital role El-Rufai played in ensuring Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential elections. On his official Facebook page, Igbokwe questioned why El-Rufai’s appointment as Minister of Power had been blocked, despite his significant contributions to the party. Igbokwe recalled how El-Rufai, along with other APC governors, intervened in the controversial money policy that threatened to derail Tinubu’s election campaign.

Igbokwe also lamented that, despite El-Rufai’s pivotal role, the APC allowed “shenanigans” and “people without honour” to prevent his ministerial nomination from going through the Senate. He argued that El-Rufai’s qualifications and efforts deserved recognition, stating that no member of the current federal cabinet could match his intelligence and capability.

He concluded his statement by emphasizing that the APC cannot afford to ignore or lose a figure like El-Rufai to rival parties, describing him as one of the party’s strongest assets at a critical time.