El-Rufai claims that “elements” in Aso Villa want the APC to lose the election

The Kaduna governor supported his claim with the delay in the withdrawal of gasoline subsidies, the current redesign of the naira, and the CBN’s cash swap programme.

The governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, said that “groups” in the White House are trying to get rid of the All Progressives Congress in the election this month.

El-Rufai stated during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday that “I feel that there are forces in the Villa that want us to lose the polls because they didn’t get their way.”

They had a candidate, but he or she did not prevail in the primary elections. According to me, they are still working to make us lose the elections while disguising their efforts behind the president’s commitment to upholding morality.

Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, won the APC presidential primary on June 8, 2022. Rotimi Amaechi, a former minister of transportation, and vice president Yemi Osinbajo finished far behind in second and third place, respectively.

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The governor of Kaduna backed up his claim by pointing to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recently implemented cash swap policy, the fuel subsidy’s allegedly late removal, and other things.

“We all agreed that the fuel subsidy, which is costing the nation trillions of naira, should be eliminated.” In fact, I explained to the President why it had to go during our conversation.

“How can you spend two trillion dollars on subsidies while having a capital budget of 200 billion [naira] for federal roads?” When the subsidies started to rise in 2021, I had this talk with the president. He was persuaded. It altered after we departed. The government as a whole concurred.

“This recent overhaul of the currency is the second example I’d use.” You must comprehend the president. The central bank’s governor is being held responsible for the redesign of the currency.

“No, you need to look at the President’s first public appearance as president.” El-Rufai stated, “He did this.”

He pointed out that the Nigerian currency was changed secretly by President Muhammadu Buhari’s military regime between 1983 and 1985 in an effort to arrest people who had hidden illicit assets.

But the governor admitted that the timing of the policy makes the APC weak before the next elections.

“It’s a very good intention, and it’s quite apparent.” The president has a white heart. However, implementing it now and in the allowed time simply doesn’t make any political or economic sense.

“And in order for such a programme to succeed, we as governors and subnationals must be involved,” he continued.