El-Rufai And Opposition Politics -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

It is not understatement to say,former governor of Kaduna State and chieftain of APC, Malam Nasiru Elrufai, has assumed the role of opposition and become a critic of his own party,the APC. Until the 2023 general elections in which his party’s presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, won the election, Elrufai was a prominent political figure in APC. The last straw that broke the camel back and nailed his political coffin was the inability of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint him as a minister after his name was forwarded to senate. Though, the senate cited security reports against him as the reason for not passing their screening,Elrufai in an interview granted to Arise Television reputed it. The former governor insisted that the president changed his mind. In his first interview since he left office,the former governor spoke on different issues ranging from his political party’s inability to hold NEC meeting, the probe of his government by governor Uba Sani, his relationship with other political parties, Tinubu’s policies and many more.

Even before the interview, Elrufai had expressed dissatisfaction on how his party APC derailed from its ideologies and founding principles. At last, APC held its first NEC meeting without Elrufai and other party’s big shot notably among, the former president, Muhammadu Buhari,his former vice, Yemi Osibanjo, Femi Kayode and Rotimi Amaechi in attendance. Their conspicuous absence in the meeting fuels speculation that all is not well with the ruling party. Whatever might have been the reason for their absence,as the 2027 elections draws closer, one is likely to expect alignment and realignment of political forces aimed at defeating the ruling party.

However, one is surprised why a founding member of APC like Elrufai who gave his best during and after the formation of APC can be cheaply dumped by his co-travellers.

Malam Nasiru Elrufai has alleged that, his current political travails are being orchestrated by the national security adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who is nursing the 2031 presidential ambition and wants to eliminate any potential northern candidates. This allegation has also been denied by Nuhu Ribadu. Meanwhile,in politics as the saying goes, “there is no permanent friend or permanent enemy but permanent interest”. This can be seen by Elrufai’s recent romance with Atiku Abubakar, former vice President,and 2023 presidential candidate of PDP. But the former vice president was not spared and suffered Elrufai’s scant attacks in the past. At a time when opposition parties- PDP,LP and NNPP are engulfed in internal crises-fail to checkmate the excesses of ruling party, Elrufai emergency as opposition figure, will re-kindle the hope of nigerians on our rapidly declining democracy culture.

His criticism against APC lackluster attitude to hold NEC meeting has waken up the party from its deep slumber. The party recently held its NEC meeting, endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the second time and zoned the national chairmanship position to the North-west. In addition, the NEC agreed to constitute a reconciliation committee to reach out aggrieved members. With Elrufai transforming himself into an opposition figure, will he remains in APC or join another political party as being speculated? Only time will tell.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State. 08169056963.