”I know people who paid to get Tinubu’s ministerial appointments,” El-Rufai Alleges

… Says APC Has Lost Its Ideals

Abuja, Nigeria – March 12, 2025

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has claimed that individuals paid to secure ministerial appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, reinforcing his assertion that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has strayed from its founding principles.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, El-Rufai insisted that his decision to leave the APC was not due to his ministerial ordeal but rather because the party had become a platform for personal interests and financial gains rather than governance.

“The Party Abandoned Me”

El-Rufai refuted claims that he exited the party because he was denied a ministerial position, asserting that he had no interest in serving as a minister in the first place.

“Did I seek to be a minister? I know people who paid to get ministerial appointments,” he stated, suggesting that high-level appointments in Tinubu’s government were allegedly influenced by financial transactions rather than merit.

According to him, the APC has been hijacked by a few individuals who prioritize personal wealth over national progress.

“The APC abandoned the ideals that led to its formation. It has abandoned the people. Everyone is now pursuing personal interests and wealth. The government has become a business enterprise where everything has a price,” he added.

Lagos Cabal Controlling Appointments?

El-Rufai further alleged that key political appointments in the current administration were being controlled by a select group from Lagos, reinforcing his claim that fairness and justice have been compromised.

“There is no justice. Those who worked for the party are not recognized, let alone rewarded. Appointments are now controlled by a select group from Lagos. The party is dead,” he declared.

His statements come amid growing dissatisfaction among APC loyalists who feel sidelined despite their contributions to the party’s electoral success.

Consultations Before His Exit

Before officially leaving the APC, El-Rufai said he consulted several political figures, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, Pastor Tunde Bakare, former APC Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, ex-Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and APC founding member Bisi Akande.

According to him, their feedback reinforced his belief that the APC had derailed from its original mission.

No Regrets Supporting Tinubu

While expressing disappointment in how he was treated, El-Rufai maintained that he had no regrets supporting Tinubu’s presidential ambition. However, he noted that his expectations for the administration had not been met.

“I didn’t regret supporting Tinubu’s presidential ambition, but I feel disappointed,” he admitted.

El-Rufai’s remarks have fueled speculation about potential realignments in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. His departure from the APC follows his recent association with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), sparking rumors of a possible alliance with opposition figures.

With internal dissatisfaction growing within the ruling party, political analysts believe that El-Rufai’s revelations could deepen existing fractures within the APC and shape discussions leading up to the next general elections.