The All Progressives Congress (APC) held a significant National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, marking its first since President Bola Tinubu assumed office. This gathering, held at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, witnessed a robust attendance of key party figures, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and the entire National Working Committee. Conspicuously absent, however, was former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, whose non-attendance sparked controversy and fueled speculation about his relationship with the ruling party.
The absence of El-Rufai, a prominent figure within the APC, became a focal point of discussion following his recent public criticism of the party. In an interview with Arise News just days before the NEC meeting, El-Rufai lamented what he perceived as a lack of internal democracy within the APC, specifically citing the party’s failure to adhere to its constitutional mandate regarding NEC meeting convocations. He further claimed that he had not received an invitation to the upcoming meeting, asserting that notices should have been dispatched days prior.
The APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, addressed El-Rufai’s absence and his preceding criticisms in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today. Morka countered El-Rufai’s claims, stating that notices were indeed sent to all eligible members, including El-Rufai, in the same manner as other attendees who successfully received their invitations and participated in the meeting. He emphasized the commitment demonstrated by numerous party leaders who travelled from outside Abuja to attend the meeting, highlighting their dedication to party affairs. Morka implied that El-Rufai’s absence was a matter of choice, suggesting that had the former governor prioritized attendance, he would have made the necessary arrangements.
Morka also cast doubt on El-Rufai’s membership in the NEC, subtly shifting the narrative. While acknowledging El-Rufai’s membership in the party’s caucus, Morka expressed uncertainty about his NEC membership, insinuating that this might explain the perceived lack of an invitation. This subtle questioning of El-Rufai’s standing within the NEC further complicated the situation, adding another layer to the unfolding narrative of internal party dynamics. Morka’s statements effectively positioned El-Rufai’s complaints about a lack of invitation as potentially unfounded, suggesting that his absence may have been due to a misunderstanding of his role within the party structure.
The interplay of El-Rufai’s public criticism, his claimed non-receipt of an invitation, and the APC’s official response created a public spectacle that exposed potential fissures within the ruling party. While the APC projected an image of unity and purpose through the well-attended NEC meeting, El-Rufai’s absence and his preceding pronouncements hinted at underlying tensions and potential disagreements within the party ranks. This incident serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges facing the APC as it navigates the complexities of power, internal democracy, and maintaining a cohesive front in the face of public scrutiny.
The NEC meeting itself, while overshadowed by the controversy surrounding El-Rufai’s absence, marked an important milestone for the APC. It symbolized the party’s transition into a new era under President Tinubu’s leadership and provided a platform for key party figures to convene and discuss strategic direction. However, El-Rufai’s absence and his public airing of grievances served as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the APC in maintaining internal cohesion and adhering to its own principles of internal democracy. The incident underscores the delicate balance the party must strike between projecting an image of unity and addressing internal dissent constructively, particularly as it navigates the responsibilities of governing and prepares for future electoral contests.
