The All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a scathing critique against former presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, as well as former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, accusing them of “gross incompetence” and an inability to manage their own affairs.
In a statement issued by APC spokesperson Felix Morka on Tuesday, the ruling party dismissed claims made by the opposition figures, describing them as desperate attempts to remain relevant ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Morka particularly took aim at Atiku Abubakar, criticizing his remarks on judicial involvement in Nigeria’s electoral processes. The APC spokesman labeled Atiku as “Nigeria’s most prolific electoral litigator,” calling his comments hypocritical.
“It is a thing of irony that Atiku, who is Nigeria’s most prolific electoral litigator, would make such a ludicrous claim that judicial involvement in electoral matters is a threat to democracy,” the statement read.
“His criticism of the courts and the electoral process rings hollow given his long history of using the courts to further his political agenda. It’s time for him to take a step back and let the democratic process unfold without his interference.”
Morka added that Atiku’s rhetoric undermines the country’s democratic process and called on him to focus on rebuilding the PDP rather than making what he termed “petty and alarmist” statements.
“Nigeria’s democracy is far stronger than Atiku’s political ambitions. We deserve better than petty politicking and alarmist rhetoric from an elder statesman. As a veteran politician, one would expect Atiku to understand that democracy is about respecting the will of the electorate and working towards the greater good of all,” he said.
The APC also accused Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai of failing to manage their own affairs, suggesting that their allegations of APC meddling in opposition party politics were baseless excuses for their internal failures.
“The bizarre suggestion by opposition figures like Atiku, Peter Obi, and recently, aggrieved leaders like Mallam Nasir El-Rufai that our great Party may be complicit in the internal corrosion of opposition parties is pitiful and only an incompetent alibi for their crass failure to manage their own affairs,” Morka stated.
He further asserted, “They cannot govern their parties but tout their ability to govern Africa’s most populous country. As discerning citizens, Nigerians know better than to be distracted by the false alarm and hollow allegations of desperate politicians whose only goal is to shore up their political relevance in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.”
