Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not hold onto power forever, emphasizing that political authority in Nigeria is open to competition.
El-Rufai made this remark while speaking at the 23rd Daily Trust Dialogue, themed “Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: What Is Working and What Is Not.”
He noted that Nigeria’s democratic journey is distinctive within Africa, as no single political party has absolute or permanent control of power.
“Nigeria does not have a permanent ruling party, and that is an achievement,” El-Rufai said.
He noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governed Nigeria for 16 years before losing power, adding that the APC will also not rule forever.
“The PDP governed for 16 years. The APC will not govern forever. It is likely that in 2027, the APC will be gone,” he said.
El-Rufai said this reality shows that power in Nigeria remains open to competition, unlike in some African countries with dominant party systems.
“Power therefore remains contestable. This distinguishes Nigeria from dominant party systems elsewhere on the continent,” he said.
However, he added that political competition has not yet translated into good governance or accountability.
“Competition has not yet matured into accountability and good governance,” El-Rufai said.
He also noted that political parties in Nigeria remain weak, describing them as “personality-driven and transactional.”
The former governor spoke from Brussels, Belgium, where he said he was recovering from illness, and apologized for his absence from the event in Abuja.
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