2027: APC, Sani, Bwala tackle Atiku, El-Rufai as Obi clarifies on coalition

• Party dismisses Atiku’s ‘baseless, laughable’ N50m bribery allegation
• Sani: El-Rufai’s ill-speaking akin to rants by forsaken lover
• If in govt, would you hold same stance? Bwala queries ex-Kaduna gov
• I’m not leaving APC; I don’t have such plans, El-Rufai affirms
• Obi: I’ll join only coalition that puts Nigeria first

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly rejected allegations made by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, who accused the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration of offering N50 million to opposition figures to destabilise rival political parties.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the APC described the claims as “simply baseless and laughable.”

The ruling party was responding to Atiku’s remarks at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria, held in Abuja, where he alleged financial inducement by the government to undermine opposition parties.

The APC attributed Atiku’s allegations to “political desperation,” blaming him for the PDP’s internal crises.

“Peddling rumours and unsubstantiated allegations should be beneath anyone of the standing of an elder statesman, a former Vice President, and a serial contender for the exalted office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement read.

The APC also criticised recent comments by other opposition figures, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who suggested that the ruling party might be involved in the internal conflicts of opposition parties.

The APC dismissed these claims as “pitiful” and an “incompetent alibi” for failing to manage their political affairs.

“They cannot govern their parties but tout their ability to govern Africa’s most populous country,” the statement added. “As discerning citizens, Nigerians know better than to be distracted by the false alarms and hollow allegations of desperate politicians whose only goal is to shore up their political relevance in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.”

The APC also took issue with Atiku’s criticism of judicial involvement in electoral matters, calling it ironic given his history as Nigeria’s “most prolific electoral litigator.” The party urged Atiku to respect the democratic process and refrain from interfering.

“As a veteran politician, one would expect Atiku to understand that while democracy may be about winning elections, it is, more importantly, about respecting the will of the electorate and working towards the greater good of all,” the APC stated.

The ruling party called on Atiku to focus on rebuilding the PDP and offering constructive solutions to Nigeria’s challenges rather than making “ludicrous” allegations. The APC reiterated its commitment to upholding democratic principles and urged Nigerians to disregard the baseless claims by opposition leaders.

MEANWHILE, El-Rufai has dismissed speculations suggesting he plans to leave the APC.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the two-day National Conference on Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria yesterday, El-Rufai, a founding member of the ruling party, reaffirmed his commitment to the APC, stressing that he has no intention of quitting.

“I have no plans to leave the party,” El-Rufai said, adding that he expects an improved performance from the APC.

El-Rufai, who has been critical of the party since being excluded from the ministerial list last year, strongly refuted claims about his possible exit when questioned after the conference. “I am not leaving the APC. I don’t have such plans,” El-Rufai declared.

“But why are you so hard on the party lately?” the former Federal Capital Territory Minister was asked.

“No, no, no, I want them (APC) to change,” he responded and moved away.

On Monday at the national talk-shop, El-Rufai accused the APC of abandoning its founding principles and fostering poor leadership. He complained of a lack of internal democracy and active party structures.

According to him, “I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show.”

El-Rufai noted that the APC was initially established to combat corruption, rebuild the economy, and enhance security.

He, however, claimed that these goals have been abandoned.

“The problems that led to the creation of the APC remain unresolved, but I no longer believe the APC is interested in addressing them. The distance between me and the party is widening,” he had said.

HOWEVER, former Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, criticised El-Rufai for his remarks on political leadership.

El-Rufai had said, “You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders; this is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today.”

Reacting to the comments in a telephone interview yesterday, Sani said the former governor lacked the moral standing to criticise the current administration. “El-Rufai, in power for eight years, practised tyranny, but out of power, he preaches democracy,” he said.

Sani further described El-Rufai as someone intolerant of opposition and hypersensitive to criticism. “The man with a history of undisguised intolerance to opposition and a hypersensitive allergy to criticism has no moral or saintly feet to stand on the pulpit of democracy to preach about good governance,” Sani asserted.

Drawing a metaphor, Sani said, “El-Rufai is like a man who is turned down by a woman and resorts to speaking ill of her. If Nasiru is in a ‘Keke Napep’, he will call it a Lamborghini; if he is thrown out of the Lamborghini, he will call it a ‘Keke Napep’.”

The former senator accused El-Rufai of shifting his political stance to suit his current situation. “He demonised the opposition when in the palace and now embraces them when in the wilderness,” he noted.

Sani concluded by criticising El-Rufai’s record in Kaduna State, saying, “Today, Tinubu’s government is led by illiterates because they refused to hire Professor Nasiru, who left behind a heap of garbage in Kaduna and is now preaching hygiene in Nigeria.”

Also, reacting to El-Rufai’s comment, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communications and Media, Daniel Bwala, queried the former governor’s stance, asking if he would have held the same position had he remained in the government or cabinet.

“My senior brother, if you were in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position? History is replete with examples. It is a government you participated in forming that you now want to unseat. Haba, Mallam,” Bwala wrote.

THIS came as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, clarified his position on forming political alliances, stating that he would only participate in a coalition that prioritises the welfare and progress of Nigeria and its citizens.

Obi disclosed this on his verified X handle following what he described as a misrepresentation of his views during a recent interview about potential coalitions aimed at unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

He wrote, “I have observed that my honest interview yesterday was misquoted by many media outlets, creating a false narrative that misrepresents my position. Let me set the record straight: “I am not against coalition; in truth, I am for it — not for a power grab but to position Nigeria for greatness. I have not, and will never, advocate for any coalition or alliance that does not prioritise the welfare and progress of the ordinary Nigerian.”

Obi emphasised that governance discussions must focus on critical issues such as access to quality healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation.

“Too often in our nation’s history, individuals and groups have come together solely for the purpose of taking power for power’s sake. Such endeavours, devoid of genuine purpose and vision, have only deepened our challenges, leaving the ordinary Nigerian to bear the brunt of bad governance. This is what I stand firmly against,” he said.

According to Obi, leadership must be about service, not self-interest. It should create a nation where opportunities abound, justice and equity are upheld, and governance serves the people rather than oppresses them.

“As I have always maintained, the New Nigeria is possible. But it requires us to change the way we think about power. It is not about grabbing it; it is about using it responsibly to transform lives and secure a brighter future for generations to come,” he added.