Ajibola Basiru, the national secretary of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai to find employment and refrain from targeting President Bola Tinubu with political attacks.
In an interview with Tribune Online on Sunday, Basiru responded to remarks made by el-Rufai, who had urged Nigerians not to vote for the APC in the 2027 presidential election.
El-Rufai, speaking at an event in Sokoto on Saturday, was addressing supporters of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
El-Rufai, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, claimed that another four years under Tinubu’s leadership would be detrimental to the country.
He vowed to mobilise citizens to oust the APC, which he described as “incompetent”.
Basiru dismissed el-Rufai’s actions as premature, noting that the 2027 elections are still two years away.
“Why is he in such a rush? The guidelines for the 2027 elections won’t be released until February 2026,” Basiru said.
He suggested that el-Rufai should use his time productively, perhaps by returning to education or spending time with his grandchildren.
“We are focused on strengthening our party, and President Tinubu is occupied with governance. He should not distract us,” Basiru added.
El-Rufai’s remarks in Sokoto were part of the ADC’s efforts to build grassroots support in Nigeria’s north-west region.
His criticism of the APC marks a significant shift, given his previous role as a key party figure.
The APC has been grappling with internal challenges and public discontent over economic policies.
El-Rufai’s call to oppose the party could further complicate its preparations for the upcoming elections.
Neither el-Rufai nor his representatives have responded to Basiru’s comments at the time of reporting.
The political spat underscores the growing tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape as the 2027 elections loom.
