Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of pursuing a “vengeance mission” rather than acting out of patriotism in his recent criticisms of the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Bwala, in a statement on Thursday via his X handle, urged El-Rufai to reconsider his stance and return to the APC, insisting that the party remains the only organised political entity in Nigeria. His remarks come after a series of heated exchanges between the two, following El-Rufai’s scathing criticism of the party’s internal structure and governance approach.
Bwala wrote, “Still my senior brother @elrufai, I am sure you don’t need anyone to tell you about my respect and admiration for you, not just for your brilliance, but also as one of the brightest we have from the northern extraction. I am not stating it for the first time today, and you know that.
“My worry, however, is the motive behind your statements and actions; they are not borne out of patriotism, but need for vengeance. The opposition sees that singular element of vengeance as a veritable tool for your recruitment.”
Bwala’s statement follows El-Rufai’s recent claim that the APC has become a dysfunctional party with no internal democratic structures. Speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria on Monday, the former governor declared that he no longer recognises the APC.
“No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show,” El-Rufai had said.
The APC swiftly dismissed his remarks, accusing him of treachery and undermining the Federal Government. Bwala also questioned El-Rufai’s motives at the time, asking whether he would have expressed the same views if he were still in government.
“My senior brother, if you were to be in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position? History is replete with examples. It is a government you participated in its formation, that you now want to unseat. Haba Mallam, a ji soron Allah mana,” Bwala had stated.
El-Rufai responded by asserting that his criticisms would have remained unchanged even if he were still part of the government. He also dismissed suggestions that he sought a ministerial role in Tinubu’s cabinet, describing some of his critics as “political mercenaries” paid to defend the administration at all costs.
Bwala, in his latest statement, refuted El-Rufai’s insinuation that he was a “latter-day convert” to the Tinubu administration, clarifying his long-standing support for the president.
“With respect, I am not a latter-day Asiwaju supporter. We both played our roles in his emergence as candidate of the party ahead of the 2023 elections. And before then, whilst you were from the CPC extraction of APC, I was from the ACN, which explains why I worked with Comrade Oshiomhole when he chaired the party amongst other things to protect the interest of Asiwaju, whom at the time you people vowed to retire from politics,” he said.
He further urged El-Rufai to resolve his grievances within the party rather than continuing his public attacks.
“I still think you don’t need all these melodramatic activities or a vengeance mission. Come back and resolve whatever you think is your grievance like a dignified man that you are.”
Despite El-Rufai’s claims that the APC has lost its democratic essence, Bwala insisted that the party remains Nigeria’s only viable political structure.
“Our party APC as of today remains the only organized party with identifiable structures across the country. So if you are looking for any symbol of democracy, it is still in your party.”
Bwala concluded his statement with an appeal for El-Rufai to return to the APC fold.
“Please senior, come home; you have toiled all nights.”
With El-Rufai’s criticisms persisting and Bwala doubling down on his loyalty to Tinubu, the rift within the APC appears far from over. Whether the former governor will heed the call to “come home” or continue his confrontational stance remains to be seen.
