By Abel Johngold Orheruata, MNIPR

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has hit back at former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent criticisms of the party, accusing him of being driven by personal grievances rather than genuine ideological concerns.

In a strongly worded statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party dismissed El-Rufai’s claims that the APC had deviated from its founding principles, describing them as a “smokescreen” for his frustration over his failed bid for a ministerial position in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

El-Rufai, in a recent interview with BBC Hausa, alleged that the APC had become a party where “everyone is now pursuing personal interests” rather than the progressive ideals upon which it was founded. However, the APC countered that his remarks were hypocritical, painting him as the “epitome of a self-interested politician, blinded by ego” and seeking to “collapse the system” out of bitterness.

The party insisted that it remains committed to its founding values and accused El-Rufai of seeking political refuge in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for self-serving reasons. The statement questioned how the SDP, his new political home, could be considered a more ideologically sound alternative, calling his move an “invitation to drink from a chalice poisoned by selfishness, vengefulness, and delusion of grandeur.”

APC dismissed El-Rufai’s assertion that President Tinubu has failed, labeling it as “bogus” and “a gross distortion of reality.” The party outlined what it described as major achievements of the Tinubu administration, including the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate unification, increased foreign direct investment, and a reported surge in GDP growth to 3.8% in the last quarter of 2024.

“Nigeria is better off today than when he took office,” the statement declared, emphasizing that Tinubu’s economic reforms have strengthened the country’s financial position and boosted non-oil revenue.

The APC further pointed out that under Tinubu’s leadership, state and local governments have received increased allocations from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), which has translated into more resources for grassroots development.

Concluding its response, the ruling party advised El-Rufai to either engage in constructive criticism or step back from what it called “scurrilous propaganda and deliberate misinformation.”

“El-Rufai is free to choose his political affiliation, as he has done. He should stop sulking, get a grip, and salvage some respectability,” the statement read.