Farouk Aliyu, a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and a key ally of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has accused former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai of political opportunism and dishonesty. Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on April 18, 2025, Aliyu claimed that El-Rufai’s recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu stem from personal frustration over not securing a ministerial position, rather than genuine concern for Nigerians. Aliyu’s remarks highlight deepening divisions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as political alignments shift ahead of the 2027 elections.
Aliyu argued that El-Rufai, who was instrumental in rallying northern support for Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign, would have been “insulting northern political leaders” had he been appointed a minister. “When the elite loses out, they start screaming,” Aliyu stated, suggesting that El-Rufai’s defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and his call for an opposition coalition to oust Tinubu in 2027 are driven by personal gain. He recalled El-Rufai’s earlier stance, quoting him as saying, “whether northerners like it or not, it must be Tinubu,” to underscore the former governor’s abrupt shift in loyalty.
El-Rufai’s criticisms, including labeling Tinubu’s administration as “the worst Nigeria has ever experienced,” have sparked controversy. Aliyu dismissed these claims as subjective, rooted in El-Rufai’s failure to secure a cabinet role after his ministerial nomination was rejected by the Senate in 2023, a decision El-Rufai attributed to Tinubu himself. Aliyu contrasted his own steadfast support for Buhari, despite receiving no appointments, with El-Rufai’s actions, stating, “The same party that made you a governor for eight years, all of a sudden you start insulting people, bringing divisiveness.”
The former lawmaker also criticized the broader Nigerian political elite, calling them “dishonest” and “one and the same,” accusing them of exploiting ethnic and regional divides for personal agendas. He pointed to El-Rufai’s meetings with opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar and his visit to Buhari, which Aliyu claimed misrepresented Buhari’s stance, as the former president reaffirmed his APC loyalty. Posts on X, such as from @KawuGarba on April 18, 2025, echoed Aliyu’s sentiments, with users labeling El-Rufai’s shift as motivated by personal loss rather than principle.
Aliyu’s defense of Tinubu aligns with the CPC bloc’s recent pledge of loyalty, led by figures like Tanko Al-Makura and Aminu Masari, who rejected Atiku’s coalition. He urged APC leaders to engage all factions to minimize internal strife, warning that the party would “put sand in the garri” of opposition efforts. As El-Rufai positions the SDP as a viable alternative, Aliyu’s remarks underscore the personal and political rivalries shaping Nigeria’s volatile political landscape.
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