El-Rufai Under Fire For Praising Atiku

The Northern Conscience Movement (NCM) has voiced strong disapproval of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s recent public endorsement of Atiku Abubakar. The group characterized this move as a “perplexing shift” in political allegiance, urging Nigerians, particularly the younger generation, to critically evaluate the opportunism that they believe is prevalent in the nation’s political sphere.

In a statement, the NCM referenced El-Rufai’s past condemnations of Atiku, recalling instances where he accused the former Vice President of being a “liar” obsessed with power and tainted by corruption. They also highlighted El-Rufai’s earlier criticisms of the APC leadership, focusing on the struggling economy and internal party disputes, suggesting his current stance is driven by political strategy rather than sincerity.

The NCM further questioned Atiku’s recent outreach to former President Muhammadu Buhari, despite his past allegations of Buhari’s involvement in smuggling illicit funds. The group pointed to Atiku’s recollection of a 1984 incident involving seized suitcases at the airport, linking it to ongoing corruption issues and emphasizing the importance of historical context for young citizens.

The NCM expressed concern over El-Rufai’s interactions with PDP figures, including Atiku and Aminu Tambuwal, in their engagement with President Buhari. They perceived this as a deceptive tactic aimed at creating an alliance against President Tinubu for the 2027 elections, advising against viewing El-Rufai’s newfound admiration as genuine reconciliation. The group argued that these political maneuvers compromise transparency and accountability, revealing a pattern where personal interests outweigh prior convictions, and warning against misinterpreting El-Rufai’s actions as sincere.