The presidency has berated Nasir El-Rufai, the former Kaduna State Governor, over his attacks on the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the President Bola Tinubu led administration, as well as the state of governance and opposition in Nigeria.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy, writing on his X handle, on Thursday, questioned El-Rufai’s motives, adding that the former Minister of the FCT was moved by personal grievance, rather than patriotism
Bwala was responding to El-Rufai’s remarks at a national conference in Abuja, where he described the current state of governance and opposition as a “national emergency.”
“My senior brother, if you were in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position? It is a government you participated in its formation, that you now want to unseat. Haba Mallam, a Ji soron Allah mana,” Bwala wrote.
But the immediate past Governor of Kaduna, in his swift response, dismissed claims that he sought a position in Tinubu’s administration, stating that he had made it clear to the president that he was uninterested in joining the government.
He also accused Bwala and other supporters of the Tinubu administration of lacking moral flexibility to defend the APC administration.
He described them as ” latter-day converts of Tinubu”.
“I was cabinet minister 22 years ago, and was clear to Asiwaju that I was not interested in any position in his future government. The pathetic manner all of you latter-day converts to the Tinubu government make an issue of something I never wanted in the first place reflects your moral flexibility,” he said.
He stressed that he will continue with his track record of speaking out against issues within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party he helped found.
Read also: APC has abandoned its principles – El-Rufai
“If I had remained in the Tinubu government, I would say or do the same on the tragedy within a party I was a founder, and the government that emerged from it… Go and check my public service record from 1998,” he added.
In response, Bwala acknowledged his respect for el-Rufai’s brilliance but questioned the motivations behind his recent criticisms, suggesting they were driven by a “need for vengeance.”
He further urged El-Rufai to resolve his grievances internally, rather than through public outbursts.
“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 posted.
Bwala also defended the APC, asserting it remains the “only organized party with identifiable structures across the country.” He appealed to el-Rufai to return to the party and address his concerns in a dignified manner.
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