APC Drama Deepens As Mark Jacob Says ‘Leave El-Rufai To Battle It Out

Former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mark Jacob, has said that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, should be disregarded and left to settle his differences with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking in an interview with Daily Post on the reported arrest of El-Rufai by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Jacob alleged that the former governor is merely seeking public attention.

The Kaduna-based lawyer also held El-Rufai and President Bola Tinubu responsible for Nigeria’s current challenges, claiming that the nation’s hard-earned progress has been eroded.

According to Jacob, El-Rufai thrives on public reactions and should therefore be ignored. He argued that the former governor ought to confront the APC administration he helped establish.

He further claimed that El-Rufai had previously boasted about political dominance in the North and within Nigeria, portraying himself and his allies as key power brokers in the APC. Jacob referenced past remarks by El-Rufai during the Muslim-Muslim ticket victory, alleging that it was presented as a strategic move for consolidating power both in Kaduna and nationally.

Jacob described the unfolding political tensions as a consequence of past actions, insisting that those who contributed to the APC’s rise to power must now face the outcome. He criticized the party, naming figures such as Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari among its founders, and argued that Nigeria has struggled since 2015.

He lamented what he described as a decline in Nigeria’s domestic and international standing, saying the country has fallen short of its leadership potential in Africa. Jacob accused those in power of focusing on political ambitions for the 2027 general elections rather than addressing pressing national concerns.

On the EFCC’s reported arrest of El-Rufai, Jacob said the development neither improves nor worsens societal conditions, stressing that insecurity and hardship remain the more urgent issues affecting citizens.

He also criticized the state of the civil service, alleging that it has been weakened, with many roles allegedly outsourced to contractors. According to him, the focus should instead be on restoring stability and improving governance for the benefit of ordinary Nigerians.