The Coalition of Gbagyi Nationality in Kaduna State has strongly condemned former Governor Nasir El-Rufai over what it described as unwarranted and self-serving attacks on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna, the leader of the Coalition, Mr. Benjamin George, accused El-Rufai of working in tandem with opposition elements in a calculated attempt to return to political relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to George, the former governor’s recent criticisms of the Tinubu administration stem not from patriotism or concern for national development but from personal disappointment after failing to secure a ministerial appointment in the current government.
“Since former Governor Nasir El-Rufai was denied a ministerial position in President Tinubu’s cabinet, he has been inconsolable—resorting to open attacks on the President and his administration,” George said.
He alleged that El-Rufai’s actions reflect a broader pattern of bad governance during his eight-year tenure as governor of Kaduna State, citing policies that led to the demolition of homes, marginalization of the Gbagyi people, and failure to curb widespread insecurity.
“This is the same individual who demolished our homes without empathy for the emotional or economic suffering of affected families. He sidelined our people in governance, denied us appointments, and neglected the development of our communities,” George stated.
The Coalition also accused El-Rufai of running an autocratic administration, suppressing press freedom, and failing to address the persistent banditry that plagued the state under his leadership.
On El-Rufai’s alleged efforts to mobilize a political coalition against Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, George warned that such a move was a veiled attempt to settle personal political scores.
“It is clear that his current attempts to align with politicians he previously scorned—under the guise of protecting national interest—are motivated by personal vendetta. Any coalition orchestrated by El-Rufai is dead on arrival,” he declared.
George reaffirmed the Coalition’s full support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, commending both leaders for their efforts in addressing the challenges inherited from past administrations.
“We want to categorically state that the Gbagyi nation and the Middle Belt region will never align with any political formation led by El-Rufai. We stand firmly behind President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria,” he added.
The Coalition urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as “El-Rufai’s utopian postulations and selfish machinations,” and expressed confidence that the Tinubu administration would deliver on its promises.
The Coalition comprises Gbagyi stakeholders and community leaders across Kaduna State, particularly from the Southern Kaduna region, which they say was consistently marginalised during El-Rufai’s time in office.
