
APC power desperation crisis erupts as Tinubu’s camp slams Atiku, Amaechi, and El-Rufai for attacking economic reforms.
Power and Politics Collide: Inside APC’s Fierce Response to Atiku, Amaechi, and El-Rufai
Nigerians woke up this week to a political storm brewing in the nation’s capital.
A fiery clash erupted after a public lecture marking the 60th birthday of former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, saw bold criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
But what followed was a stern backlash from the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), setting the tone for what could be a prolonged political drama.
In a sharp rebuttal issued by APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party lashed out at three notable figures former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna,
and celebrant Rotimi Amaechi accusing them of hypocrisy and desperation for power masked as concern for the masses.
APC Power Desperation Crisis: The Accusations Unfold
At the heart of the conflict is the claim made during Amaechi’s lecture that the Tinubu-led administration is “weaponizing poverty.”
This damning phrase stirred the political pot, prompting APC to issue a stinging response.
Morka argued that these same figures Atiku, Amaechi, and El-Rufai collectively had more than two decades in power yet failed to address Nigeria’s core economic and social challenges.
The party contended that their current criticism reeks of political opportunism rather than genuine concern.
“These three individuals have occupied Nigeria’s highest political offices between 1999 and 2023.
In all those 24 years, they neither eradicated poverty nor attempted real structural reforms,” Morka stated in his press briefing.
He described their recent statements as a “frenzied desperation to return to power for self-aggrandizement,” using the lecture platform as a political rallying ground in disguise.
Who Said What: Decoding the Lecture
The lecture, while meant to honor Amaechi’s 60th birthday, turned into a platform for veiled and not-so-veiled political jabs.
Both Amaechi and El-Rufai openly criticized the Tinubu administration’s economic direction,
pointing to the harsh realities Nigerians face, including rising food prices, a weakened naira, and spiraling poverty.
Amaechi’s now-viral quote, “I am hungry,” has become a focal point of political debate.
While some interpreted it as symbolic of the suffering masses, APC’s response painted a different picture.
“When Amaechi said, ‘I am hungry,’ it must be understood to mean he’s hungry for power and for a return to state patronage,” Morka retorted,
suggesting that the hunger mentioned was not rooted in empathy but in entitlement.
APC Power Desperation Crisis Resurfaces
This latest episode marks a new chapter in what analysts now refer to as the APC power desperation crisis an ongoing narrative where past leaders,
now in opposition, are accused of seeking power not to serve but to reclaim lost privileges.
Morka’s statement framed these former officials as “displaced rent-seekers” who failed to deliver when they had the reins of government and are now attempting to undermine current reforms for personal gain.
“From selling national assets to cronies, to indulging in state-sponsored violence, these men laid the foundation for today’s economic woes,” he declared.
From Customs to Cabinet: The Economic Roots of Conflict
APC’s rebuttal dug deeper, highlighting the economic roots of the tension.
According to Morka, President Tinubu’s reforms including floating the naira and eliminating fuel subsidies are targeted at dismantling the old,
inefficient system that served the elite while keeping ordinary Nigerians dependent.
In contrast, Atiku and Peter Obi, the party claimed, benefited immensely from the previous economic structure.
Atiku, a former Customs officer turned business mogul, and Obi, a known importer, are said to have thrived under an import-dependent regime that suppressed local production.
“This is why their current critique reeks of self-interest. They want to return to a structure that benefits them, not the nation,” Morka emphasized.
The Tinubu Reform Agenda: Building or Breaking?
While criticism mounts, the APC maintains that Tinubu’s economic vision, though painful in the short term, aims for long-term stability.
“Let the naira find its real value. Let production, not importation, drive our economy,” Morka said.
The party sees this as a tough but necessary path to sustainable growth.
Supporters argue that the president’s actions, from implementing fuel subsidy removal to tax reform, demonstrate unprecedented political will to fix what others avoided.
Indeed, some economists agree that floating the naira could eventually stabilize the economy.
But the cost rising inflation, increased transportation costs, and food insecurity is currently being borne by the average Nigerian.
Critics or Hypocrites? Public Reaction Splits
Reactions across the country have been mixed. Social media buzzed with opinions.
Some Nigerians applauded the courage of Amaechi, Atiku, and El-Rufai for speaking out. Others saw it as political theatre.
“Isn’t it ironic that those who contributed to our economic woes are now acting like saviors?” asked Grace Odion, a Lagos-based analyst.
On Twitter, hashtags like #APCDesperation and #AmaechiAt60 trended, revealing the country’s deepening divide between political allegiances and performance-based critique.
Tinubu’s Inner Circle Reacts: More Firepower
While APC’s official stance came from Morka, insiders within Tinubu’s cabinet also weighed in subtly.
A close aide, who asked not to be named, said the administration is unfazed.
“These are distractions. President Tinubu is focused on results. The reforms are painful, yes, but necessary. Nigerians will soon feel the difference,” the source said.
A Quarter Century of Questions: What Did They Achieve?
APC’s most biting commentary came in its audit of past performances. It questioned what these former leaders achieved during their tenures.
“Amaechi held office continuously for 24 years from Speaker to Governor to Minister.
What legacy of poverty eradication did he leave behind?” Morka asked rhetorically.
The same question applied to El-Rufai, who was lauded for his reforms in Abuja and later as Governor of Kaduna, but often criticized for high-handedness and polarizing policies.
Atiku, having served as Vice President and contested the presidency multiple times, remains a polarizing figure with both loyal followers and harsh critics.
Beyond Politics: What Nigerians Want
Amid this political crossfire, everyday Nigerians are watching, waiting, and demanding solutions.
With soaring inflation and joblessness, citizens are less concerned about political rivalries and more focused on policies that can change their lives.
“Yes, we know the past leaders failed us. But what is the current government doing to fix it?” asked Tijani Bello, a business owner in Kano.
For many, the APC power desperation crisis is symbolic of a broader issue an elite political class fighting for control while millions struggle to survive.
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What Comes Next?
As the political temperature rises, two questions linger: Will this feud evolve into a broader political realignment?
And can Tinubu’s administration sustain its reforms without losing public support?
Analysts predict that more opposition voices will speak out in the coming months, particularly as the 2027 election cycle begins to cast its shadow.
The stakes are high, and the political games have just begun.
Conclusion: Who Really Serves the People?
In a nation yearning for change, the clash between APC and former power brokers presents a familiar drama.
Accusations of selfish ambition, counter-claims of incompetence, and a public caught in between it’s a script Nigeria knows too well.
Yet beneath the noise lies a critical question: Are Nigeria’s political elites truly interested in service, or are they merely fighting over access to the national cake?
The coming months will reveal whether the current administration’s promises will translate into relief for the people or become just another page in the long, disappointing story of Nigerian politics.