The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, Timi Frank, has described the Kaduna state Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as “an ingrate and a perpetual betrayer”.
Mr. Frank also called on President Muhammad Buhari to be wary of the governor.
Mr. Frank was reacting to a well reported statement of the Kaduna state governor in which he called a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, a corrupt politician.
In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr. Frank said Atiku remained the most investigated politician in the history of Nigerian politics and that he has not be found wanting in any of the allegations levelled against him.
Mr. Frank wondered where Governor El-Rufai “got the guts” to challenge the man (Atiku) who he said brought Mr. El-Rufai to limelight through an appointment in the Bureau for Public Enterprise, BPE.
“El-Rufai’s latest outburst is not surprising because of his antecedent of betraying all his known benefactors both in politics and in private life.
“It is on record that the likes of former President Olusegun Obasanjo will not be surprised because he has once betrayed Baba.
“Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who brought out El-Rufai from exile can’t forget in a hurry how this same man betrayed him. It is only a matter of time for El-Rufai to also betray President Buhari once the president is no longer in power,” Mr. Frank said.
According to the APC official, “the huge task of governance which El-Rufai has practically failed woefully in Kaduna is supposed to be paramount to him instead of deploying his strongest power against Turaki Adamawa, who is far above the governor in all levels.
“Just two days ago, more than 45 innocent citizens of Kaduna lost their lives immediately El-Rufai launched a billboard in Southern Kaduna apologising for his maladministration.”
While calling on Nigerians to disregard whatever the governor said about the former vice President, Mr. Frank also called on the Nigeria Governors Forum and the leadership of APC to call Mr. El- Rufai to order.
“Even if El-Rufai does not respect Atiku as a person he should respect the institution and the position the former Vice President held in this country.”
Mr. Frank also cautioned the governor against dragging President Buhari into whatever controversy he has with the former vice President, saying “Atiku has supported the president and he will continue to support him to drive the change mantra of APC.”
He also called on Mr. Abubakar not to join issue with the governor considering the wide margin of difference between them.
Mr. Frank, however, asked governor El- Rufai to immediately tender an apology to the Turakin Adamawa, saying the former Vice President has contributed immensely to sustain democracy in Nigeria “and he remains one of the highest private employers of labour in the country”.
