APC Unfazed by El-Rufai’s Alleged Alliance with Atiku and SDP
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed indifference to the recent political alignment between former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as well as the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Last week, El-Rufai, a key APC figure, held a private meeting with the leadership of the SDP and allies of Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party. Although the agenda of the gathering was kept under wraps, the encounter was seen as part of a larger opposition effort to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. The meeting, held at the SDP’s national secretariat, included prominent figures such as Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to General Sani Abacha, and Otunba Segun Showunmi, a former spokesman for Atiku.
The political interactions have been linked to the League of Northern Democrats (LND), a group led by former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, which seeks to create a broad-based alliance for the 2027 elections. Dr. Umar Ardo, the convener of the LND, recently announced the group’s readiness to become a political party, emphasizing the need for a credible national platform.
Despite these developments, the National Vice Chairman of the APC (South-East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, dismissed concerns over the opposition’s moves. Arodiogbu stated that the APC was not worried, saying, “They will scatter as they gather. We are not worried about what El-Rufai does next. His political trajectory is now in turmoil.”
He further criticized El-Rufai, claiming that the former governor’s controversial actions, including disparaging remarks about Christians, had made him politically toxic. Arodiogbu added, “El-Rufai is desperate for recognition, and I don’t understand why the media is giving him so much attention. This unholy alliance will amount to nothing.”
Arodiogbu emphasized that the APC’s focus is on the success of President Tinubu’s policy reforms, which he argued were already yielding positive results, including stabilizing the economy and reducing fuel subsidy pressures. He expressed confidence that the public would see the long-term benefits of the reforms, with fuel prices expected to stabilize and the country potentially becoming an exporter of fuel.
In contrast, Nze Chidi Duru, the Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the APC, adopted a more measured approach, stating that El-Rufai had the constitutional right to associate with any political group. Duru noted, “We are in a democracy, and as long as these meetings are lawful, they are welcome. Until a decision is made, speculation is pointless. When a defection occurs, we will respond appropriately.”
Duru emphasized that, for now, the APC’s focus remains on governance and the delivery of its electoral promises to the people, underscoring that political parties are only one part of the population, and governance is what truly matters post-election.
