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Joe Igbokwe, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has asserted that former Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai stands out as more intelligent, courageous, and capable than any current federal minister.
According to the Daily Post, El-Rufai has recently distanced himself from the ruling party, criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
At a public event in Abuja, he declared that he no longer identifies with the APC, accusing the party of abandoning its founding values and failing to uphold internal democracy.
His remarks sparked a backlash from some Tinubu loyalists, leading to verbal attacks against him.
Among the critics, Reno Omokri, a vocal supporter of the president, accused El-Rufai of being responsible for violence in Kaduna during his tenure, labelling him a tyrant who allegedly thrived on bloodshed.
Amid the controversy, Igbokwe took to Facebook to emphasize El-Rufai’s significance within the party, reminding supporters of his role in securing Tinubu’s 2023 election victory.
He questioned why some influential figures within the administration worked against El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination despite his contributions.
Igbokwe argued that El-Rufai, alongside former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello and another governor, played a critical role in countering the controversial monetary policy of former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, which he claimed almost derailed Tinubu’s victory.
Expressing frustration over the rejection of El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination, Igbokwe criticized the Senate for allowing political interference to obstruct his appointment.
He stressed that APC cannot afford to lose such a strategic figure to the opposition and warned that neglecting his expertise would be a costly mistake.