El-Rufai smarter, bolder than all ministers – APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has asserted that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appears to be “greater, smarter, and bolder” than all federal ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Igbokwe made the statement in a Facebook post amid the ongoing political rift between El-Rufai and some APC stalwarts following the former governor’s criticism of Tinubu’s government.

At a recent event in Abuja, El-Rufai declared that he no longer recognized the APC, alleging that the party had abandoned its founding principles and no longer practiced internal democracy. His remarks triggered strong reactions from Tinubu’s allies, including Reno Omokri, who accused El-Rufai of fueling bloodshed in Kaduna State during his tenure.

Omokri labeled El-Rufai a “bloodthirsty tyrant” who derived pleasure from violence in Kaduna, while other APC loyalists also attacked the former governor over his comments.

Amid the backlash, Igbokwe defended El-Rufai, insisting that the party still needs him. He recalled that key figures like El-Rufai played a vital role in ensuring Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.

He wrote, “All things considered APC Nigeria needs the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. He worked so hard for APC during the 2023 Presidential and Governorship Elections.

“I am a witness to how Gov El- Rufai, former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and one other governor went to stop the criminal Emefiele’s dubious money policy that was targeted at PBAT which nearly truncated PBAT victory. I also remember the excruciating efforts he put down to retain kaduna for APC.

“HE El-Rufai was nominated as a Minister and we allowed shenanigans and people without honour to come to hallowed chambers of the Senate to stop his nomination for reasons we do not know. If reality is to prevail he was supposed to take a bow, just walk away.

“APC allowed the interlopers to walk away with their sadistic tendencies. Now let me ask this question: Of what meat are they fed? Who among all the Ministers in the Federal Cabinet that is greater, smarter, bolder, more clever, proficient and deeper than Mallam El Rufai?

“Neglecting and ignoring our own scholar in the finest and best tradition is incomprehensible and totally unacceptable. May we never forget this stormy petrel with loads of capacity and capability. Malam El Rufai na man oooooo.

“For whatever reasons APC NIGERIA must not ignore this great man. We cannot afford to lose him to the rival party. He is one of the strong characters we cannot afford to lose at a time like this. Case rested”.