APC Convention: Why El-Rufai Should Be Called To Order — Group

A group, the Buhari Core Supporters Network (BCSN) has alleged that the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el- Rufai will tarnish the image of President Muhammadu Buhari if not called to order.

The group also alleged that Governor is behind the leaked All Progressive Congress (APC) zoning documents making the rounds and therefore, noted that he must be sanctioned for his indiscretion.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, Badamosi Luqman, president of the group said it was callous that documents with President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature were released under such questionable circumstances especially when the matter the documents related to is one that is controversial and has consequences for the sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy.

He said since the documents surfaced, President Buhari has come under unwarranted abuses and criticism from within and outside the party, including people labeling him a dictator who has hijacked his party members’ right to elect those to lead the party.

“We have consulted those that are familiar with the circumstances behind the leaked documents and have found out that only El-Rufai had custody of the original documents and is consequently the only person that could have leaked them, which we now have cause to believe he did to further his own agenda,” Luqman said.

“As a state governor and a public office holder who took the statutory oaths to assume office, El-Rufai should have known the error in releasing such sensitive documents to the public when he was not authorized to do so. It is doubtful that he would take it lightly for any of his aides or subordinates to commit the same crime he has committed.”

“We are worried that the same El-Rufai who is acting behind the name of President Buhari and leveraging Nigeria’s first citizen’s name to destroy the APC while at the same time keeping up the pretext of being on the President’s side.”

Luqman said it was even more irksome that Governor El- Rufai was justifying his action to his associates as purportedly acting to promote a northwest agenda, ‘which we know to be a pack of lies as he has now proven that his intention is to actualize his cabal’s selfish dreams and ambitions while destroying everything that President Buhari has worked and lived for over the years’.

“BCSN categorically warned El- Rufai that he has done enough damage to the image of President Buhari and should in the name of God and everything he holds dear to his heart allow the President to end his service to Nigerians without further tarnish from people like him,” he said.

“We urge President Buhari to order an investigation into the leakage of the documents with a view to confirming the person(s) behind the leak, their motives, and determining the befitting sanctions to discourage such irresponsible behavior in the future.”

“BCSN further urge the leadership of the APC, irrespective of what President Buhari does in this matter, to separately punish the Kaduna State governor, who has effectively pitched party members against each other with the leak. The party must send a strong message by ensuring that all those he got President Buhari to endorse are voted against at the party’s national convention for being part of the maligning the President’s reputation.”