The Northern Conscience Movement (NCM) has taken a swipe at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent visit to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing him of political opportunism and betraying his past principles in a bid to reclaim relevance.
El-Rufai, joined by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other political heavyweights including Senator Aminu Tambuwal, had visited Buhari at his Kaduna residence in what was publicly described as a post-Sallah courtesy call. But the NCM isn’t buying that explanation.
NCM: Visit Was More Than a Courtesy Call
In a strongly worded statement, the group’s coordinator, Lawal Nuhu Ahmed, questioned the motive behind the visit, branding it a calculated political move rather than a gesture of goodwill.
Ahmed reminded Nigerians of El-Rufai’s past verbal attacks on Atiku, in which he labeled the former VP a “liar,” power-hungry, and “haunted by his corruption demon.” These, he said, were not light accusations but reflected El-Rufai’s deeply critical view of Atiku.
A Sudden Shift After Political Setbacks
“The sudden change in El-Rufai’s tone and alignment is deeply suspicious,” Ahmed stated. “It suggests a strategic political realignment following his fallout with President Bola Tinubu and the Senate’s rejection of his ministerial nomination.”
According to the NCM, such moves highlight a troubling trend in Nigerian politics, where personal ambition often takes precedence over ideology and integrity.
When Principles Are Traded for Power
Ahmed condemned what he described as a growing pattern of political inconsistency, where former rivals become allies overnight for the sake of influence and power.
“This is not just about El-Rufai,” he added. “It’s about a system that rewards flexibility over fidelity, and ambition over accountability.”
Call for Integrity in Leadership
The group urged political figures to remain true to their stated principles and to focus on the greater good of the nation.
“Nigeria deserves leaders who are steadfast, principled, and genuinely committed to the collective welfare, not those who bend with the political wind,” the statement concluded.
