A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Musa Ilyasu Kwankwaso, has criticized former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai for allegedly using “blackmail and lies” to undermine President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement released to journalists in Kano, Kwankwaso described El-Rufai’s approach as outdated and ineffective, suggesting that the tactics used against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 would not be successful against Tinubu.
Kwankwaso argued that President Tinubu has made significant progress in addressing insecurity and stabilizing commodity prices, attributing the improvements in the security sector to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. He accused El-Rufai of being dissatisfied with these gains, stating that Nigerians can clearly see the government’s efforts. Kwankwaso challenged El-Rufai to provide evidence to support his allegations that the Tinubu administration is sponsoring banditry and other criminal acts, urging him to refrain from further comments if he cannot provide such evidence.
The APC chieftain also alleged that El-Rufai is attempting to instigate the northern region against the Tinubu administration, but emphasized that northerners are aware of the progress being made in areas such as Birnin Gwari, Sokoto, and Borno. Kwankwaso dismissed the emerging coalition of opposition politicians, including Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso, as “a failure,” questioning what they have to offer Nigerians. He pointed out that security agencies have recently recorded successes in arresting bandit and terrorist commanders, and called on Nigerians to continue supporting the Tinubu administration while disregarding “all forms of blackmail perpetrated by opposition figures.”
The accusation comes as the 2027 general elections approach, with President Tinubu facing potential challenges from opposition parties. The APC has been working to maintain its stronghold on power, while opposition parties are forming coalitions to increase their chances of winning. The outcome of the elections will depend on various factors, including the performance of the current administration and the ability of opposition parties to present a united front. As the political landscape continues to evolve, Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.
