The former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and founding member of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Farouk Aliyu, has criticised Nasir El-Rufai, describing him as an opportunist whose political loyalty is solely dependent on what he stands to gain.
El-Rufai, who played a significant role in rallying northern support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, has recently turned against the president.
The former Governor of Kaduna State has openly criticised Tinubu’s administration, calling him “the worst Nigeria has ever experienced.”
El-Rufai’s opposition to Tinubu has sparked speculation that his dissatisfaction stems from not securing the promised ministerial appointment.
In a scathing rebuke, Aliyu appeared on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Friday, where he accused El-Rufai of being a political opportunist.
He said El-Rufai’s claims about Tinubu’s corruption were subjective and rooted in personal frustration.
Aliyu argued that had El-Rufai been appointed to the cabinet, he would likely still be vocally supporting Tinubu instead of attacking him.
“I want members of the elite to know that it is about us, the elite. When the elite loses out, they start screaming,” Aliyu remarked.
He emphasised that El-Rufai’s criticisms of the president were a reaction to not securing a political position, something he couldn’t accept as an “act of God.”
Aliyu pointed out the hypocrisy of El-Rufai’s actions, stating that the same party that made him a governor for eight years is now being insulted by him simply because he is no longer in power.
He noted that El-Rufai had previously expressed his unwavering support for Tinubu, declaring that, “whether northerners like it or not, it must be Tinubu.”
In contrast, Aliyu underscored his own dedication to the political process, citing his years of support for former President Muhammadu Buhari, even though he did not receive a political appointment.
“Despite not getting a political appointment from Buhari, I didn’t stop supporting him throughout his eight years in power,” Aliyu explained, signalling his commitment to the cause rather than personal gain.
Aliyu concluded by labelling El-Rufai a hypocrite and an opportunist, stating that his shift away from the APC and criticism of Tinubu’s government were driven purely by personal interests, rather than a concern for the well-being of Nigerians.
“This is not about the people, it’s about his own selfish interests,” Aliyu asserted, further distancing himself from what he described as the selfish nature of some Nigerian political elites.
