..Says history will judge your political moves if… ..
Senator Babafemi Ojudu and former presidential aide, has raised critical questions about Nigeria’s political culture and the recent political decision by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
In a heartfelt open letter addressed to El-Rufai, which blends personal reflections with a broader critique of Nigeria’s political landscape, Ojudu calls for a shift from self-serving politics to the establishment of principled, people centered political institutions.
Ojudu began by reminiscing about his long relationship with El-Rufai, recalling their shared political journey over nearly 12 years. He highlighted moments of camaraderie, including organizing celebrations for El-Rufai’s 50th birthday in Dubai and collaborating on political strategies to advance their shared vision for a better Nigeria.
“Dear Nasir, this is a letter from a friend,” Ojudu wrote. “I take the liberty of calling you a friend because, for nearly 12 years, we walked the same political path, sharing dreams of a better Nigeria within the same party.”
However, Ojudu’s letter quickly shifted from nostalgia to a sobering critique of Nigeria’s political trajectory. He recounted past political efforts, including the failed presidential bids of Nuhu Ribadu and Atiku Abubakar under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), as well as the 2015 merger that birthed the All Progressives Congress (APC). Despite these efforts, Ojudu lamented that Nigeria remains in a state of stagnation, with leaders growing richer while the masses suffer.
“Looking back, every effort since then—including the grand merger of CPC and ACN to form APC—has not led to any remarkable outcome,” Ojudu stated. “Individuals we once believed to be upright have grown richer, while the people they were meant to serve have grown poorer.”
Ojudu expressed concern over El-Rufai’s recent defection from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), questioning whether the move was driven by genuine concern for the people or personal ambition. He criticized the pervasive culture of political defections in Nigeria, likening it to a “barber’s chair movement—spinning round and round but going nowhere.”
“They say only a madman does the same thing over and over again and expects a different result,” Ojudu wrote. “So, tell me, Nasir, is this about the people? Or is it another ego-driven exercise, fueled by personal ambition and the present discontent in the country?”
Ojudu emphasized the need for Nigeria to move beyond personality-driven politics and build strong, ideologically grounded political parties. He argued that the absence of such institutions has left the country’s political landscape fragmented and unprincipled.
“Let me be blunt: Nigeria has no real political parties,” Ojudu declared. “None of the current players—APC, PDP, or SDP—qualify as proper political institutions. These are mere vehicles for power, hastily assembled contraptions used by those with means, guile, and bravado to seize office.”
He urged El-Rufai to focus on building a truly national political institution rather than merely owning a party. Drawing inspiration from Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Action Group, Ojudu outlined the core principles that should guide such an institution: free education, accessible healthcare, and economic empowerment.
“Nasir, if this latest movement is just another barber’s chair—spinning but going nowhere—then you are wasting your time,” Ojudu warned. “But if it is truly about the people, about genuine change, about building something enduring, then do it right.”
Ojudu concluded the letter with a call for reflection and principled action, reminding El-Rufai that history will judge their efforts.
“History will judge,” Ojudu wrote. “Your friend, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, CON.”
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