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Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has accused former Kaduna Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, of pursuing a “vengeance mission” rather than acting out of patriotism in his recent criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Bwala made the assertion in a response to El-Rufai’s earlier post on his verified X handle, @BwalaDaniel, on Thursday.
Bwala, while expressing admiration for El-Rufai, questioned the motive behind the former Governor’s statements and actions.
He said: “My worry however is the motive behind your statements and actions; they are not borne out of patriotism, but need for vengeance. The opposition sees that singular element of vengeance as a veritable tool for your recruitment.”
The presidential aide also reminded El-Rufai of their shared history within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting they played significant roles in Tinubu’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 elections.
Bwala emphasized that his support for Tinubu predates the recent political developments, stating, “with respect, I am not a latter-day Asiwaju supporter. We both played our roles in his emergence as the candidate of the party ahead of the 2023 elections.”
He further highlighted the ideological differences within the party during its formative years, recalling that while El-Rufai was from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) faction of the APC, he (Bwala) was from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) faction.
“Before then, whilst you were from the CPC extraction of APC, I was from the ACN, which explains why I worked with Comrade Oshiomhole when he chaired the party amongst other things to protect the interest of Asiwaju, whom at the time you people vowed to retire from politics,” Bwala stated.
Bwala urged El-Rufai to abandon what he described as “melodramatic activities” and return to the APC to resolve any grievances he may have.
“I still think you don’t need all these melodramatic activities or a vengeance mission. Come back and resolve whatever you think is your grievances like a dignified man that you are,” he advised.
The presidential aide also reaffirmed the APC’s position as the dominant political party in Nigeria, describing it as “the only organized party with identifiable structures across the country.”
He added: “So if you are looking for any symbol of democracy, it is still in your party.”
In a heartfelt appeal, Bwala called on El-Rufai to return to the fold, saying, “please senior, come home; you have toiled all nights.”
The exchange between the two prominent APC figures has sparked reactions from political observers with many speculating on the implications of El-Rufai’s criticisms for the ruling party’s unity.
