Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Kaduna State Government of sponsoring the recent attack on defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during their defection rally to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, El-Rufai dismissed claims that he is not a member of the ADC, explaining that both he and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, received a waiver to retain their membership of their original parties until the conclusion of upcoming by-elections in their states.
On security, El-Rufai alleged that state governments in Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara were fueling banditry by sending money and food to criminal groups to create a false impression of improved security.
Citing SBM Intelligence reports, he said such appeasement policies had only worsened insecurity in the North-West.
“It does not make sense to empower enemies of the state,” he warned.
El-Rufai also restated his support for the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket that produced President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, insisting it was purely an electoral strategy, not a religious calculation.
However, he did not spare Tinubu’s administration from criticism, describing its performance so far as poor.
“Supporting Tinubu’s victory does not mean I cannot criticize him. This government has failed in many areas,” he said.
On his relationship with Governor Uba Sani, El-Rufai clarified that while they have not fallen out, they were never friends.
He added that corruption allegations in Kaduna under Sani’s government are already before the courts.
Predicting that Tinubu would lose the next election despite controlling state institutions, El-Rufai said: “He will be defeated; he does not have the pathway to win.
“I have done the arithmetic. Tinubu has never lost an election before, but let us wait and see.”
He also argued that no leader can fundamentally transform Nigeria within a four-year tenure. According to him, zoning remains a political strategy used by parties to secure victory.
He recalled mobilising APC governors in 2023 to ensure power shifted to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
On the strength of the ADC, El-Rufai admitted the party is still in formation and yet to attain national reach.
“We are still building it. It is not yet a strong national party. When it is fully formed, its leadership will address zoning,” he said.
Responding to criticisms that the ADC is filled with recycled politicians, the former governor countered that most members have never had the chance to lead Nigeria.
“Those who will eventually change Nigeria will not come from heaven. I have never been given the opportunity to run Nigeria, but look at all the agencies I have led.
“Many of us in the ADC have track records,” he added.
