The former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of neglecting their founding ideals.

Speaking at a national conference in Abuja on strengthening democracy in the country, he described the state of governance and opposition in Nigeria as a national emergency.

El-Rufai pointed out the absence of internal democracy and active party structures within the APC.

“I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show,” he said.

He expressed his disappointment at the quality of leadership emanating from political parties, blaming the situation on unqualified delegates.

“You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today,” he added.

The immediate past Kaduna Governor called on political parties to raise standards for candidates and delegates, adding that the constitution’s minimum requirement of a secondary school certificate should not be enough for nominations.

He complained that the APC’s founding goals of combating corruption, rebuilding the economy, and enhancing security have been abandoned.

In response to El-Rufai’s post, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communications and Media, Daniel Bwala, questioned his remark, asking if he would have held the same position had he remained in the government or cabinet.

“My Senior brother, if you were to be in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position? History is replete with examples. It is a government you participated in its formation, that you now want to unseat. Haba Mallam,” Bwala wrote.