APC Chieftain reacts to alleged rift between El-Rufai, Tinubu

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ESV Podar Yiljwan Johnson, has refuted claims of a dispute between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Johnson made this known in an interview with Legit.ng over the weekend.

According to him, he is not aware of any rift between both men. He urged the President to ensure fairness in his appointments.

“I'm not aware of any conflicts between the President and El-Rufai. Leadership is from God; many people have worked for the party but are still without appointments.

“The president brings on board those he feels could implement his blueprint, the Renewed Hope Agenda. All we expect from the president is fairness in his appointments; by bringing all the six geopolitical groups into equitable distribution of portfolios.

The North Central should be given the National Chairman back to the North Central, with special consideration to Nasarawa state. For fairness, equity, and justice, the president is a Democrat and he knows the importance of fairness in politics.”

El-Rufai is rumored to be in a rift with President Tinubu as he has been seen in meetings with opposition party chieftains and wide consultations with prominent politicians in the country.

Political pundits believe that El-Rufai's recent moves signal his interest in the 2027 presidency, defection to another political party, and possible disapproval of President Tinubu's re-election in 2027.

Interestingly, the former governor of Kaduna state was one of the politicians in the northern region who worked for the emergence of Tinubu during the 2023 election. However, his silence over his controversial ministerial appointment sparked concerns in the polity.