Northern Movement Challenges El-Rufai’s Atiku Endorsement

The Northern Conscience Movement (NCM) has delivered a sharp critique of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s recent praise for Atiku Abubakar, describing it as a confusing change in political alignment. They called upon Nigerians, especially young voters, to closely examine these evolving political dynamics and reject the opportunism they see as defining the nation’s politics.

In a released statement, the NCM referenced El-Rufai’s previous harsh critiques of Atiku, reminding the public of instances where he labeled the former Vice President a “liar” fixated on power and tainted by corruption allegations. The movement also pointed to El-Rufai’s earlier criticisms of the APC’s leadership, emphasizing the ailing economy and internal party divisions, suggesting his current position is more about political expediency than genuine change of heart.

The NCM also examined Atiku’s recent efforts to engage with former President Muhammadu Buhari, despite his past accusations of Buhari’s involvement in smuggling stolen funds. They highlighted Atiku’s recollection of a 1984 airport incident involving intercepted luggage, linking it to the ongoing issue of corruption and urging young citizens to understand the historical backdrop.

The movement expressed concern over El-Rufai’s interactions with key PDP figures, including Atiku and Aminu Tambuwal, in their apparent outreach to President Buhari. The NCM viewed this as a deceptive maneuver, potentially aimed at forming an alliance against President Tinubu for the 2027 elections, and cautioned against interpreting El-Rufai’s newfound admiration as sincere. The group argued that such political maneuvers undermine transparency and accountability, highlighting a pattern where personal interests overshadow stated beliefs, and they warned against seeing El-Rufai’s actions as anything but strategic repositioning.