A founding member of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Farouk Aliyu, has launched a blistering attack on former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, branding him a self-serving politician whose principles shift with personal gain. The criticism comes amid El-Rufai’s recent defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and his vocal opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Aliyu, who served as Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, dismissed El-Rufai’s claims about Tinubu being Nigeria’s “most corrupt” leader as baseless hypocrisy during an appearance on Arise Television. “If El-Rufai had secured a ministerial appointment, he’d be leading the charge in defending this government instead of insulting northern leaders,” Aliyu asserted, recalling how El-Rufai had previously championed Tinubu’s presidential bid with the slogan “whether northerners like it or not, it must be Tinubu.”
The political veteran contrasted El-Rufai’s behavior with his own unwavering support for former President Muhammadu Buhari despite never receiving appointments, framing the ex-governor’s actions as symptomatic of elite entitlement. “Political elites like El-Rufai only cry foul when excluded from power,” Aliyu remarked, accusing him of exploiting national divisions for personal vendettas rather than principled opposition.
The scathing remarks highlight deepening fractures within northern political circles ahead of the 2027 elections, with El-Rufai now positioning himself as a coalition builder against Tinubu. Analysts suggest the public feud underscores broader tensions between old CPC loyalists and newer APC power brokers, with Aliyu’s comments potentially galvanizing resistance to El-Rufai’s opposition mobilization efforts.
Neither El-Rufai nor his SDP associates have responded to the allegations, which come days after Buhari loyalists publicly reaffirmed support for Tinubu’s administration. The exchange signals turbulent political realignments as Nigeria’s next electoral cycle approaches.
