By Suleman Ahmad
Kano, Kano State – A prominent youth advocacy group aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Northern Nigeria has issued a strong rebuke against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of making defamatory and politically motivated comments targeting the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and other revered Northern leaders.
The group’s National Coordinator, Hon. Musa Mujahid Zaitawa, released a statement on Thursday condemning El-Rufai’s alleged declaration that “there are no good elders left in the North.” Zaitawa criticized the former governor’s controversial remarks as both dishonorable and misleading, noting that they insult respected statesmen like former Presidents Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and business magnates Aliko Dangote and Aminu Dantata.
“El-Rufai has shown time and again that he is a political opportunist who will disparage anyone to promote his personal ambition,” Zaitawa said. “He is now acting like a political trader, selling out the North’s legacy and the APC’s integrity for self-gain.”
The group labeled El-Rufai’s political behavior as opportunistic and destabilizing, especially in light of his recent defection from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in March 2025, which he claimed was due to irreconcilable differences with the ruling party’s national leadership.
El-Rufai’s Political Realignment Sparks Controversy
El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP has sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s political landscape. Analysts interpret the move as a strategic recalibration ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, positioning him to form new alliances, especially in politically significant Northern states such as Kaduna, Katsina, and Jigawa.
However, the APC youth wing warns that El-Rufai underestimates the political clout of Dr. Ganduje and other entrenched stakeholders in the North.
“We will not sit idle while someone who once rose to power under the APC platform turns around to denigrate the very foundation that nurtured his rise,” Zaitawa declared. “Let it be clear: Ganduje is not to be underestimated. He represents both political continuity and Northern unity.”
Call for Unity and Responsible Leadership
The group called on youths across Northern Nigeria to remain vigilant and resist what they described as “elitist provocations and political manipulation” aimed at weakening Northern representation in national politics.
“This is not about political rivalry; it’s about preserving our values, institutions, and regional integrity. No one—no matter how high-ranking—should be allowed to insult our elders and divide the North,” Zaitawa concluded.
With the 2027 general elections drawing near, observers believe the friction between El-Rufai and key APC figures like Ganduje may signal deeper power struggles within the Northern political bloc, with far-reaching implications for party cohesion and national stability.
