APC members shielded from corruption – El-Rufai 

Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, former Kaduna State governor, has criticised what he described as selective accountability in Nigeria’s governance system, warning that members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are rarely accused of corruption.

El-Rufai made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja during the 23rd Annual Daily Trust Dialogue, themed, “Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: What is Working and What is Not?”

According to him, Nigeria has entrenched the rituals of democracy without embedding genuine accountability, resulting in uneven enforcement of laws and weakening public trust in governance.

“We have governance without accountability. Nigeria has focused more on reforms in form than in substance. We conduct elections, establish agencies and announce asset recoveries, but accountability in the act of governing remains selective,” he said.

He argued that corruption allegations are often weaponised against those in opposition, tolerated for politicians seeking alignment with the ruling party, and effectively ignored for those already aligned with power.

“Corruption has become dangerous for some in opposition, negotiable for others sitting on the fence and seeking to join the APC, and invisible for those aligned with power. APC members are hardly ever accused of corruption,” he said.

El-Rufai, who was a chieftain of the APC rulling party warned that selective justice has tangible consequences for ordinary Nigerians, noting that unpaid salaries, abandoned projects, decaying infrastructure and rising public cynicism are symptoms of weak accountability.

“When laws are enforced unevenly, deterrence collapses. And when deterrence collapses, trust evaporates.That is exactly what is happening in Nigeria,” he added.

The former governor called for urgent institutional strengthening, particularly judicial reforms, to guarantee credible elections and a truly independent electoral commission.

He stressed that restoring ethics and competence in government was essential for politics to retain meaning.

“Reform is not only about what must change; it is also about what must stop,” he said.

The dialogue featured a panel session with the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, former lawmaker and ex-chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje.

Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, chaired the event, while the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, served as Special Guest of Honour.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date