Vatsa says El-Rufai’s remarks stem from political disappointment
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has strongly criticized former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following comments attributed to him suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could become a “life president” if re-elected in 2027.
In an interview granted in Minna, the Niger State capital, Vatsa described El-Rufai’s remarks as the outburst of a “wounded lion” who, he claims, is struggling with political irrelevance after being excluded from the current administration’s cabinet.
El-Rufai accused of acting out of frustration
Vatsa, who previously served as Commissioner for Information in Niger State, suggested that El-Rufai’s recent political commentary is fueled by his disappointment over not securing a ministerial appointment in President Tinubu’s government.
“El-Rufai is speaking like a wounded lion. He thought he would be handed a key ministerial post under this administration, but when that didn’t happen, he became mentally disorganized,” Vatsa said.
The APC stalwart insisted that El-Rufai’s criticisms of Tinubu’s government are not based on principle or ideology but on personal grievances and perceived political sidelining.
Vatsa blames El-Rufai for insecurity in Southern Kaduna
Vatsa also used the opportunity to revisit El-Rufai’s record as governor of Kaduna State, accusing him of deepening ethnic and religious divides, particularly in Southern Kaduna. He alleged that under El-Rufai’s leadership, insecurity worsened, and communities in the region suffered frequent attacks.
“The whole world saw how El-Rufai unleashed bandits and terrorists against the Southern Kaduna people for eight years. Blood flowed freely in Kaduna State under his watch,” Vatsa claimed.
He maintained that El-Rufai’s tenure was marred by violence, poor governance, and division, which he believes ultimately led to the APC’s poor performance in Kaduna during the 2023 general elections.
El-Rufai’s political future questioned
According to Vatsa, El-Rufai’s past actions have significantly diminished his political relevance, even in his home state of Kaduna. He argued that the former governor’s involvement in future political campaigns may do more harm than good to the APC.
“Any political party that El-Rufai belongs to will lose elections in Kaduna State and the country at large. He misruled the state, and the people have not forgiven him,” he stated.
Vatsa advised El-Rufai to consider retiring from politics entirely, noting that his influence has waned and that continued participation may not yield meaningful outcomes.
“I want to advise El-Rufai to retire from politics quietly, because his continued involvement will yield nothing,” he added.
National unity takes precedence over regional ambitions
Addressing broader political concerns, Vatsa dismissed the idea that President Tinubu’s potential re-election bid in 2027 poses a threat to democracy or regional power balance. He emphasized that the South is entitled to complete an eight-year term, in line with the country’s informal zoning arrangement, before the presidency rotates back to the North in 2031.
“President Tinubu deserves to complete two terms, just like his predecessors. The idea of calling him a potential ‘life president’ is misleading and unnecessary,” Vatsa said.
He stressed the importance of national unity over selfish regional interests, asserting that attempts to stoke ethnic or regional tensions for political gain must be discouraged.
Conclusion
The exchange between Jonathan Vatsa and Nasir El-Rufai highlights growing internal tensions within the APC, especially as discussions about the 2027 election begin to surface. While El-Rufai’s comments have sparked controversy, voices like Vatsa’s are pushing back, urging unity and a focus on national progress over individual ambitions. As the political landscape evolves, more of such intra-party discourse is likely in the run-up to the next general election.
