A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Musa Ilyasu Kwankwaso, has accused the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru el-Rufai, of engaging in “blackmail and falsehoods” in an alleged attempt to undermine President Bola Tinubu in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released yesterday to journalists in Kano, Kwankwaso characterized el-Rufai’s tactics as antiquated and ineffective, cautioning that the strategies employed against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 could not be successfully applied to Tinubu.
The APC leader asserted that Tinubu has made significant strides in tackling insecurity and stabilizing commodity prices, commending National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for the ongoing advancements in the security sector.
However, he accused el-Rufai of being dissatisfied with these achievements, emphasizing that Nigerians are well aware of the government’s efforts. Kwankwaso further challenged the former Kaduna State governor to provide evidence to substantiate his claims that Tinubu’s administration is involved in sponsoring banditry and other criminal activities.
Additionally, he alleged that el-Rufai is trying to incite the northern region against Tinubu’s administration, but emphasized that northerners are “not foolish” and can recognize the progress being made in Birnin Gwari, Sokoto, and Borno.
The President of SOKAPU, Sabara Samuel Kato, in a statement yesterday, remarked that since his inauguration as governor, el-Rufai has consistently expressed his animosity and contempt for Southern Kaduna whenever the opportunity arose.
Kato, who criticized the recent remarks made by the former governor, stated that “el-Rufai allegedly appropriated federal allocations intended for local councils in Southern Kaduna, where attacks occurred, under the pretense of repairing damages caused during these assaults,” adding that just as “he demoted the traditional rulers of Southern Kaduna from first class to third class, and without any consultation, altered the names and designations of our chiefdoms while abolishing districts, leaving some chiefdoms with only a single district,” he asserted that such a political figure should not have a role in the future of the nation’s politics.
IN ADDITION, the National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Peter Ameh, has accused the APC-led Federal Government of undermining democracy and executing a state capture.
Ameh, who expressed his views during an interview on the News source, indicated that recent occurrences in Rivers State, the electoral landscape, and the broader political environment demonstrate a calculated effort to weaken opposition and manipulate institutions in anticipation of the 2027 elections. He remarked that regarding the political impasse in Rivers State, the Presidency had exceeded mere interference.
He characterized the situation as a “double tragedy” for Nigeria’s democracy, claiming that courts, security agencies, and electoral bodies are increasingly being utilized as instruments of political control. Ameh asserted that Peter Obi embodies “the right vision” for Nigeria but cautioned that there are already forces at work aiming to hinder opposition movements.
