APC Slams Atiku, Amaechi, and El-Rufai: "They Want Power for Selfish Gain, Not National Interest"

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party, has fired back at key political figures — Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai — accusing them of trying to return to power purely for selfish reasons, rather than out of concern for the country’s wellbeing.

In a strongly worded statement, the APC alleged that the three prominent opposition leaders are united by what it described as a “desperate desire for political relevance and access to state resources.” The party suggested that their recent public criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms are not born out of patriotism but out of frustration over lost political influence.

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Context: Criticism at Amaechi’s 60th Birthday Sparks Political Clash

This fiery political exchange began after former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi celebrated his 60th birthday on May 31, 2025, with a public lecture in Abuja. At the event, Amaechi didn’t mince words about the state of the nation’s economy under President Tinubu. Speaking candidly, he said:

“We’re all hungry; all of us are. If you’re not hungry, I am. For us, the opposition, if you want us to remove the man in power, we can remove him from this power.”

That comment, which quickly spread across social media, drew heavy criticism from supporters of the current administration. It also prompted a sharp response from the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, who released an official statement on Monday, June 2.

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APC Fires Back: “They Had 24 Years and Did Nothing”

Morka’s statement described Atiku, Amaechi, and El-Rufai as "former power brokers" who had their chance to serve the country but failed to deliver meaningful results during their time in office.

“These three individuals have occupied Nigeria’s highest political offices between 1999 and 2023,” Morka said. “In all 24 years, the trio, individually or collectively, could not and did not eradicate poverty in their states or the country.”

This damning remark aims to remind Nigerians that these political figures were once key players in Nigeria’s leadership and failed to bring about the level of change they now claim to advocate.

Morka further dismissed their criticisms of President Tinubu’s economic reforms as nothing more than political posturing. He described the birthday lecture as a “frenzied” reunion of “displaced rent-seekers” — individuals who, in his words, misused public office and are now confused by the ongoing economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.

“That’s about a quarter of a century of freeloading by Amaechi on state resources,” Morka continued, “with absolutely no record of attempting to combat poverty in his Rivers State or the country.”

He went on to interpret Amaechi’s viral hunger comment not as a statement about the suffering of Nigerians, but rather as an expression of his own personal frustration over no longer having access to public resources:

“When Amaechi declared, ‘I am hungry,’ he must mean, and must be understood to mean, that he is hungry and desperate to return to his felt entitled dependency on state resources and patronage.”

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“Disruptive Politicking” and Economic Legacy of the PDP

The APC also accused the opposition — especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which held power for 16 years — of laying the foundation for Nigeria’s current economic challenges. Morka argued that the PDP maintained an artificially strong naira, which undermined local production and deepened structural poverty in the country.

He stated that the likes of Atiku Abubakar, a former customs officer, and Peter Obi, a successful businessman and importer, had personally benefited from Nigeria’s flawed, import-heavy economy:

“Atiku and Peter Obi, who are now vociferously criticising President Tinubu’s policies, amassed their wealth from the very import-dependent system they are desperately trying to preserve.”

According to Morka, their current opposition to the President’s economic decisions is more about protecting their business interests than about speaking up for ordinary Nigerians.

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Defending Tinubu’s Reforms: “A New Day for Nigeria”

In his statement, Morka defended Tinubu’s economic reforms, which include the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the naira’s exchange rate. These bold reforms, he said, are tackling long-standing economic distortions and encouraging transparency and accountability in government spending.

“In two years, President Tinubu has demonstrated political will to tackle structural barriers to the country’s economic growth and development far more than any other president in Nigeria’s modern history.”

He also cited positive economic indicators such as improved revenue, increased investor confidence, and job creation. According to Morka, Nigeria recorded a 4.6% GDP growth in the last quarter of 2024, marking the highest economic growth in a decade, despite global financial challenges.

In addition, he pointed out that some Nigerian states are now able to pay a minimum wage of ₦70,000, more than double the old ₦30,000 standard — a result he attributed to the improved fiscal space created by Tinubu’s reforms.

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Reclaiming the Narrative: “The People Know What’s Going On”

Morka argued that Nigerians are not fooled by what he described as the “disruptive politicking” of opposition figures like Atiku, Amaechi, and El-Rufai. He said that the public can see that the government is working to lay a foundation for long-term economic growth and not just temporary relief.

“The president’s reforms are dawning a new day for Nigeria, now witnessing economic transformation never before seen in our country’s history.”

The APC spokesman concluded with a firm message: President Tinubu will not be distracted by political noise or public criticism from those who had their turn in power and failed to make a difference.

“Mr President is on course and will not be distracted by the selfish partisan rambling of some hardened political opportunists and economic exploiters.”

“The best strategic interest of our economy and the good people of Nigeria must continue to trump any and all political or electoral calculations.”