Northern APC Collapse Structure for Atiku as Tinubu fires shot at El-Rufai in Kaduna, calls him “toxic leader”

Northern APC Collapse Structure for Atiku as Tinubu fires shot at El-Rufai in Kaduna, calls him “toxic leader”

 

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups led by Ismaila Abu Ishaq have formally thrown their support behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Ishaq, once a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, announced on Thursday that the movement will henceforth be known as the Coalition for Project Rescue Nigeria 2027.

 

Addressing journalists after visiting Atiku’s Abuja residence, Ishaq said the Coalition was born out of a collective determination to “rescue Nigeria from a failed APC leadership.” He added that the group aims to rally behind “a tested, credible, and visionary leader” who can tackle the country’s lingering challenges—ranging from insecurity and crumbling infrastructure to economic downturn, poverty, and hunger.

 

Reflecting on past achievements, the new Coalition praised the developmental record of the Obasanjo-Atiku era. “The Coalition for Project Rescue Nigeria 2027 will not just be a campaign vehicle, but a national salvation effort,” Ishaq asserted, “to ensure that Nigeria returns to the days of unity, progress and prosperity.”

In response, Atiku Abubakar welcomed the Coalition’s support and vowed to offer mentorship, particularly for young Nigerians eager to reclaim their nation’s future. He lamented the current state of the economy, stating, “It pains me to see the strong economy bequeathed by successive PDP administrations frittered away by the Tinubu-led APC government.”

 

The former Vice President urged the group to ensure it continues to participate in the democratic processes that would guarantee the restoration of an economically viable and democratically stable future for the country.

 

In another development, president Bola Tinubu has taken a swipe at former governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, saying that the state was in a tense and toxic atmosphere under El-Rufai’s leadership.

 

The president said this just as he commissioned a 300-bed Specialist Hospital initiated by former vice president Namadi Sambo, 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and other projects completed by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state.

 

 

Speaking during the grand reception after the projects’ commissioning, President Tinubu commended Governor Sani for his people-oriented projects.

 

Tinubu asserted that he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in Kaduna state.

 

“This is sharply in contrast with the tense and toxic atmosphere when I visited this state in the year 2022. Peace is the hallmark of development,” he said.

 

 

The president also pledged the federal government’s collaboration to actualise the Kaduna Light Rail project.

 

“I want to remind all our governors present that the skills development centre that we jointly inspected and commissioned today is an example that sub-nationals should follow.

 

“Whatever we need to do together we will do it. We will soon launch a comprehensive agenda on that, as well as make bold agenda for food security,” Tinubu said.

 

In his remarks, Governor Sani, who enumerated his achievements in office in the last years, commended President Tinubu for his massive support to the state.

 

Governor Sani said, “Let the North be the bedrock of this renewed hope; a strong, proud pillar for a president who has stood by us in word and in deed.”

 

“Let us rise and say it boldly, Tinubu deserves our full backing, and we will not relent in supporting this great leader who has given so much, not just to our wellbeing today, but also to our future.”