Former governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai has attributed his attacks on leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to his determination to force them to change.

El-Rufai, who spoke to newsmen on the sidelines of the just-concluded two-day national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday, however, clarified that he has no plans to leave the ruling party.

When asked if he intended to abandon the party he helped form and nurture, the immediate-past Kaduna governor replied: “I am not leaving the APC. I don’t have such plans.”

Reminded why he should criticise the party’s leaders so harshly if he remains committed, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) retorted: “No, no, no, I only want them to change.”

Speaking as a discussant at the event, he criticised the APC, describing it as a party without ideals that has abandoned its founding principles and fostered poor leadership. He also condemned the quality of leadership emerging from political parties, which he attributed to unqualified delegates, lamenting the lack of internal democracy and active party structures within the APC.

While describing the state of governance and opposition in the country as a “national emergency”, he further blamed the problems of democracy in Nigeria on illiterates, semi-illiterates and “cunning people” in leadership positions.

“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. 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,” he said.

The former governor urged political parties to set higher standards for candidates and delegates, stressing that the constitution’s minimum requirement of a secondary school certificate should not suffice for party nominations.

Reflecting on the APC’s foundation, he noted the party was originally established to combat corruption, rebuild the economy and enhance security. He argued these goals have been abandoned, adding: “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.”

El-Rufai also called on opposition parties to unite and form a broad coalition to challenge the ruling party and protect democracy.

“There are internal mercenaries in the PDP, hired and motivated to destroy the party. The Labour Party is also facing similar issues. Peter Obi himself told me, ‘I don’t know what’s happening in the party I contested with.’

“There seems to be a deliberate project to destroy opposition parties,” he alleged.

Citing a poll indicating 75% of registered voters might abstain from the 2027 elections, El-Rufai warned of an impending crisis.

“This is dangerous. For those of us who lived half our lives under military rule, we know what it is. We don’t want military rule, but we also don’t want civilians behaving like the military in their babbar riga and suits,” he said.

He appealed to opposition Parties to set aside differences and form a united front to safeguard democracy. “This is a national emergency, and we must act before history repeats itself,” he concluded. (Daily Sun)