A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has responded to comments made by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, regarding President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s potential re-election bid in 2027. Vatsa criticized El-Rufai’s statements, characterizing them as those of a individual who has lost political influence.

In an interview, Vatsa attributed El-Rufai’s remarks to his disappointment at not being included in President Tinubu’s cabinet, suggesting that this exclusion has affected his mental state. Vatsa also critiqued El-Rufai’s governance during his tenure as Kaduna State governor, noting that it was marked by increased ethnic and religious divisions. He specifically mentioned that El-Rufai’s leadership saw significant violence, including the targeting of southern Kaduna people by bandits and terrorists.

Vatsa argued that El-Rufai’s actions as governor have rendered him politically irrelevant, even in his home state of Kaduna, where the APC lost the last presidential election under his leadership. He advised El-Rufai to retire from politics, stating that his continued involvement would be unproductive. Vatsa also addressed concerns about President Tinubu’s potential re-election, citing an agreement that the South should complete its eight-year term before power returns to the North in 2031.

The APC chieftain emphasized the importance of national unity, prioritizing it over regional interests. He noted that any political party associated with El-Rufai would likely face electoral losses in Kaduna State and beyond, due to his perceived mismanagement of the state during his tenure. Vatsa’s comments highlight the ongoing debates and tensions within the APC, as well as the complexities of Nigerian politics. The discussions surrounding President Tinubu’s potential re-election bid and the role of regional interests in national politics are likely to continue, with significant implications for the country’s future.