The All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a scathing attack on Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, accusing him of sour grapes after he failed to secure a ministerial appointment in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The APC's statement comes in response to El-Rufai’s recent criticism of President Tinubu’s performance, where he claimed that Tinubu had failed to replicate his achievements in Lagos at the national level.

In a strongly worded statement, APC spokesperson Felix Morka dismissed El-Rufai’s claims as the product of a bruised ego, rather than genuine ideological differences. “Today, El-Rufai stands diminished as the epitome of a self-interested politician, blinded by ego, driven by untamed emotion, and brimming with a vengeful desire to ‘collapse the system’,” Morka stated. He further added that El-Rufai’s claim of exiting the party due to deviations from its founding values was merely a smokescreen to mask his personal grievances.

The APC did not hold back in its condemnation of El-Rufai’s call for opposition figures to rally under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The party described it as “an invitation to drink from a chalice poisoned by selfishness, vengefulness, and delusion of grandeur,” suggesting that El-Rufai’s motives were far from altruistic.

Morka emphasized that Nigerians are aware of El-Rufai’s true motivations, stating, “Nigerians are far more savvy than El-Rufai thinks, and they know that he is driven by raw self-interest rather than a genuine concern for the country.” The APC maintains that it remains unfazed by El-Rufai’s criticism and continues to attract new members who support President Tinubu’s policies.

Addressing El-Rufai’s assertion that President Tinubu has failed, the APC labeled the accusation as “outrageous as it is bogus” and a distortion of reality. The party insists that tangible progress is being made across various sectors under President Tinubu’s leadership, asserting that “Indisputably, Nigeria is better off today than when he took office”.

Furthermore, the APC challenged El-Rufai to engage in constructive criticism rather than resorting to personal attacks and misinformation. The party suggested that El-Rufai should “quit sulking, get a grip, and salvage some respectability,” now that he has chosen his new political affiliation.

The war of words highlights the growing rift between the APC and its former stalwart, raising questions about the future political landscape and the potential realignment of forces within the country.