Political Allegiances and the APC's Position in Kaduna
Dr. Bashir Jamoh, a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has publicly affirmed that Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, remains an active stakeholder in the ruling party. This statement was made during a press conference held in Kaduna, where Jamoh addressed recent rumors about El-Rufai’s potential alignment with opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jamoh acknowledged that El-Rufai has been linked to other political groups, such as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). However, he emphasized that there is no official indication that El-Rufai has left the APC. “As far as I’m concerned, this is my opinion — Malam Nasir El-Rufai is still with us,” Jamoh stated. He highlighted that while El-Rufai has mentioned his membership in these parties, the APC has not yet taken steps to bid him farewell.
The former NIMASA director also pointed out that El-Rufai continues to be a valuable resource for the party. “We still consult him. We still seek his expertise, his knowledge, and his advice. Forget the politics for a moment. This is about public service. Whenever we need his advice, he gives it. And if he refuses to give it when asked, I believe God will ask him why.”
A Political Institution with Lasting Influence
Jamoh described El-Rufai as a political institution whose contributions to Kaduna State and the APC cannot be easily overlooked. “You cannot disown your child of eight years. He was Minister under the PDP. He joined CPC, which merged into APC, and governed this state for eight years. He’s a part of our political history,” he added.
Despite acknowledging El-Rufai’s right to make personal political decisions, Jamoh expressed confidence that the APC in Kaduna would remain open to him. “If Malam today says he’s no longer with ADC, we’ll still remain with him. If he goes to ADC, we’ll wait and see how far the ADC goes,” he said.
Jamoh also commented on the current state of the ADC in Kaduna, noting that the party is still struggling to establish its structure and is unlikely to pose a serious challenge to the APC. “We don’t even know who is who in the ADC yet. Yes, we hear he is the North-West leader of the ADC, but as far as Kaduna is concerned, they are underperforming,” he said.
The APC's Strength and Future Prospects
When addressing concerns about whether the APC could withstand the threat of El-Rufai aligning with an opposition party, Jamoh argued that the focus should shift from El-Rufai as an individual to the strength of any party he associates with. “Are you talking about El-Rufai or the ADC? Nasir El-Rufai cannot contest for governorship again. That chapter is closed. So, the question is whether ADC or any opposition party can defeat the APC in this state — and I say no,” he said.
Jamoh used a Hausa proverb to illustrate his point: “When you grind your corn, you can’t throw the whole thing into a pot because it’ll be too heavy. APC is too heavy for any party here.” He encouraged those unfamiliar with Kaduna politics to conduct independent research. “Go and take an independent survey today. Who stands a chance of winning the gubernatorial election after Uba Sani? Check opposition parties. Who and who among them can challenge the APC? We have more than 10 capable candidates. I challenge you — do the research.”
Addressing Internal Challenges
While Jamoh conceded that the APC faces some internal challenges, he maintained that the party remains the dominant political force in Kaduna. “Yes, there are challenges. I agree. But we are addressing them. That’s why I’m speaking to you now. Don’t fall for the propaganda that people are leaving in droves,” he said.
He urged supporters not to abandon the party based on unfounded fears. “Don’t throw away what you have because you think the opposition can beat APC. Remember where you invested. One day, you will reap the benefit of that investment.”