A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, has criticised former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent comments alleging that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu will become a life president if re-elected in 2027.

Vatsa described El-Rufai’s comments, in an interview in Minna, as those of a “wounded lion” who has lost political relevance.

He attributed El-Rufai’s remarks to his disappointment at being left out of President Tinubu’s cabinet, which he claimed has left him mentally disorganised.

Criticising El-Rufai’s governance in Kaduna State, the APC chieftain stated that his tenure saw increased ethnic and religious divisions.

The former Commissioner for Information said, “the whole world saw how El-Rufai unleashed bandits and terrorists against the southern Kaduna people for eight years, blood flowed freely in Kaduna State under him as the governor of the state then.”

“Any political party that El-Rufai belongs to will lose election in Kaduna State and the country in general. He misruled the state and the people have not forgiven him.”

According to him, El-Rufai’s actions as governor have made him politically irrelevant, even in Kaduna State, where the APC lost the last presidential election under his leadership.

Vatsa added, “I want to advise El-Rufai to retire from politics quietly, because his continued involvement will yield nothing.”

He also dismissed concerns about President Tinubu’s potential re-election bid, hinging his argument on an agreement that the South should complete its eight-year term before power returns to the North in 2031.

Vatsa further emphasised that national unity is more important than any selfish regional interests.