Manta Raymond
Kaduna
The Coalition of Gbagyi Nationality in Kaduna State has unleashed a blistering attack on former Kaduna Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of being consumed by political bitterness and desperate ambition following his exclusion from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet.
In a no-holds-barred press conference held Monday in Kaduna, the Gbagyi coalition accused El-Rufai of launching “unprovoked and hypocritical attacks” on President Tinubu simply because he was denied a ministerial appointment. According to the coalition, El-Rufai’s recent outbursts are not born of patriotism or principle, but of petty vindictiveness.
“Since losing his bid to secure a ministerial position, El-Rufai has been like a man scorned — inconsolable, erratic, and hell-bent on tearing down the house he once pretended to build,” the group stated. “His tirades against President Tinubu are not ideological—they are the tantrums of a man denied the power he so desperately craves.”
Describing El-Rufai as a man with no moral compass, the group said he lacks the credibility to position himself as a defender of the masses. “It is the height of political hypocrisy that the same El-Rufai who thrived on authoritarianism and exclusion now claims to speak for democracy and unity,” they said. “The man who silenced voices is now pretending to champion free speech.”
The Gbagyi leaders did not mince words in recalling what they called the “tyrannical legacy” of El-Rufai’s administration in Kaduna State, which they say left behind a trail of pain, destruction, and disenfranchisement—particularly for communities in Southern Kaduna.
“Our people’s homes were demolished without mercy. Our voices were muted, our presence erased from governance, and our communities left to rot in insecurity and neglect,” the statement charged. “Markets vanished overnight, roads to our villages became death traps, and bandits roamed freely while El-Rufai played politics with our lives.”
They described El-Rufai’s current anti-Tinubu posture as “laughable and fraudulent,” coming from a man who, they allege, would be singing a different tune if he had been appointed Minister.
“El-Rufai’s so-called coalition is nothing but a desperate gathering of political orphans rallying behind a man driven by revenge. Let it be clear: this has nothing to do with national interest and everything to do with his bruised ego.”
The coalition warned Nigerians, especially the people of Kaduna State, not to be swayed by what they called “El-Rufai’s deceitful crusade,” declaring that the Gbagyi Nation and the Middle Belt reject his leadership in any form.
“He failed us as governor, now he wants to fail the nation. But we see through the smoke. We will not forget. We will not be fooled.”
In a final jab, the coalition hailed President Tinubu for remaining focused amid distractions and reaffirmed their support for his administration.
“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his courage in confronting the rot left by past administrations. He must not be distracted by the noise of those who once ruled with an iron fist but now whimper from the sidelines. The Gbagyi people say: NEVER AGAIN to El-Rufai’s politics of oppression and deceit.”
Attempts to reach El-Rufai for a response were unsuccessful as of press time.
Dan Zaki Media 