APC Chieftain Faults Party Over Treatment of Nasir El-Rufai

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has criticized the party’s attitude towards former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Igbokwe took to his Facebook page to express his disappointment, describing El-Rufai as a "fearless leader, key player, and organizer."

According to Igbokwe, the APC leadership has ignored El-Rufai without considering how the party got to its current position. He questioned why the party would sideline a "scholar with a huge brain, a bold thinker, a fearless leader, a facilitator, a key player, a team player, and an organizer" like El-Rufai.

El-Rufai, a founding father of the APC, has been sidelined since President Bola Tinubu took office. Tinubu had previously nominated El-Rufai for a ministerial role, but the Senate failed to clear him. Additionally, El-Rufai’s successor, Governor Sani Uba’s administration, had instituted a probe against him over alleged misappropriation of funds while in office.

Igbokwe’s criticism of the APC leadership comes as a surprise, as El-Rufai has been a prominent figure in the party. His sidelining has raised questions about the party’s priorities and treatment of its founding members. The controversy is likely to spark further debate within the APC and beyond.

In his Facebook post, Igbokwe emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of individuals like El-Rufai, who played a crucial role in shaping the party’s history. His criticism serves as a reminder of the need for parties to appreciate and respect their founding members, rather than sidelining them without explanation.