EL-RUFAI WAS NOT WELL TREATED IN APC, DESERVED BETTER AFTER BACKING TINUBU – EX-MINISTER

EL-RUFAI WAS NOT TREATED WELL IN APC, DESERVED BETTER AFTER BACKING TINUBU — EX-MINISTER

Adebayo Shittu, a former Minister of Communication, has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its handling of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, stating that El-Rufai was not treated fairly despite his significant support during Bola Tinubu’s campaign.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, Shittu said El-Rufai played a leading role in the pro-Tinubu movement and should have been adequately compensated for his efforts.

“He did very well and exceptional,” Mr Shittu said on Channels TV. “How many people played the same role as El Rufai played among those noise makers? I don’t think it’s fair.”

Shittu stated, “He did very well and exceptional. How many people played the same role as El-Rufai among those noise makers? I don’t think it’s fair.”

“So, El Rufai has a special case. In the entire political spectrum of APC, he’s the only one who I’m convinced has a good case because I saw him as a leading figure in the pro-Tinubu agitation for the presidency. “

Last month, Mr El-Rufai announced his defection from the APC and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was formerly nominated for a ministerial position, but the Senate withheld his confirmation after citing a State Security Service (SSS) report.

He added, “He did very well. He was promised some position, but when that did not come, I expected that the government would still bring him on board one way or the other.

“To just leave him… (sic) I don’t think we have done well in handling his case. Apart from him, I don’t see anyone who had any justification.”

The former governor has also aligned with opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The two, along with other northern political figures, recently visited former President Muhammadu Buhari, a move seen by analysts as part of a broader political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.