By John Audu .
Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has publicly criticized Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communications and Media, labeling him a “political jobber” amidst growing tensions within Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
El-Rufai’s remarks came in response to Bwala’s query regarding whether El-Rufai would have maintained his critical stance towards the APC and President Tinubu’s administration if he were part of the government. Bwala had posed this question following El-Rufai’s recent public criticisms of the party and its leadership.
Addressing Bwala directly on his X account, El-Rufai stated that he chose to respond due to a lingering respect for Bwala, whom he described as a “decent person who may need a job.” He contrasted Bwala with other figures he accused of being government “mercenaries,” suggesting they are financially motivated to defend the administration unconditionally.
Reflecting on his political journey, El-Rufai emphasized his autonomy and historical willingness to critique governance, highlighting his tenure as a cabinet minister over two decades ago. He asserted that he had clearly communicated to President Tinubu his disinterest in holding any governmental position, challenging the narrative that his criticisms stem from personal disenfranchisement.
El-Rufai further accused certain political figures of moral flexibility, implying that their unwavering support for the Tinubu administration reflects opportunistic tendencies rather than principled stances. He criticized these individuals for their readiness to justify any governmental actions, regardless of their merit.
“I was a cabinet minister 22 years ago and made it clear to Asiwaju that I was not interested in any position in his future government. The manner in which you, latter-day converts to the Tinubu government, make an issue of something I never wanted in the first place reflects the level of your moral flexibility,” El-Rufai said.
The former governor insisted that his position on the APC and Tinubu’s administration would have remained the same, even if he had been part of the government.
“If I had remained in the Tinubu government, I would still speak out about the tragedy within a party I helped found, and the government that emerged from it—first privately with those concerned, and then publicly if no remedial actions were taken,” he added.
El-Rufai also took a swipe at political loyalists, whom he accused of being paid to defend the government at all costs.
“I am responding to you because I still think you are a decent person who may need a job, not in the class of Wendell Simlin or that Kaduna pretender whom our voters retired in 2019. These clowns are political mercenaries who receive humongous monthly stipends from the security vote to be the first to jump on X and other platforms to defend everything the Asiwaju government does or fails to do, no matter how indefensible it may be,” he said.
He concluded by advising Bwala to remember that allegiance to God and country should come before loyalty to any individual or authority.
“Enjoy your special adviser position, my brother, but remember that allegiance to God and country comes first in the human scale of accountability, before any person or authority.”
