Northern Conscience Movement faults El-Rufai Romance with Atiku
The Northern Conscience Movement (NCM) has expressed concern over the recent show of admiration by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, towards former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing it as a troubling shift in political rhetoric.
In a statement signed by its coordinator, Lawal Nuhu Ahmed, the group said El-Rufai’s praises for Atiku are inconsistent with his past scathing remarks, where he once branded the former vice president a liar, accused him of being “obsessed with power,” and referred to him as “haunted by his corruption demon.”
The group expressed suspicion that El-Rufai’s change of tone may be less about reconciliation and more about repositioning himself politically, particularly following his fallout with President Bola Tinubu and the Senate’s rejection of his ministerial nomination.
The movement recalled El-Rufai’s previous memo to former President Muhammadu Buhari, where he criticized the APC’s lack of cohesion, the struggling economy, and internal party tensions—comments the NCM says now appear part of a broader effort to reshape political alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
The NCM also criticized the meeting between El-Rufai, Atiku Abubakar, and Aminu Tambuwal as a strategic coalition aimed at undermining President Tinubu rather than fostering national unity.
It warned that such alliances could further polarize the northern political landscape.
The NCM however called for a political culture built on accountability, transparency, and consistency, urging political actors to place national interest above personal ambition.
