Former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) youth figure AbdulJabbar Rufai has defended his decision to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting that the PDP has slipped into a "political coma" driven by internal factions.
Appearing on Arise News, Rufai outlined his reasons for aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, pointing to youth-targeted institutional reforms, security initiatives, and student funding as key drivers behind his political shift.
Key Takeaways from the Interview
1. "I Can't Afford To Be In A Political Coma"
Addressing his transition from a vocal PDP critic to an APC member, Rufai explained that while he respects his political roots, the ongoing leadership crises within the main opposition party forced his exit:
- State of the PDP: Rufai stated that internal rivalries have paralyzed the PDP, leaving it unable to serve as an effective platform for youth advancement.
- Role of Wike: He acknowledged efforts by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike to reshape the party's direction but noted that staying in a stagnant political environment was no longer viable for his career.
"PDP is right now in a coma, and I cannot afford to be in a political coma at this point... I believe I have the potential to bring positive impact to the country and my state." — AbdulJabbar Rufai
2. Praising Tinubu’s Youth and Student Policies
Rufai cited specific policy choices by President Tinubu over the past three years as the primary reason for joining the APC:
-
Unbundling the Youth Ministry: He commended the administration for
separating the Ministry of Youth from the Ministry of Sports, arguing it
allows for focused institutional development and targeted youth
empowerment.
- The NELFUND Game-Changer: Rufai highlighted the
Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the most impactful
initiatives for students in modern Nigerian history, though he urged APC
youth representatives to do more to publicize its benefits.
3. Security Strategy & Border Intelligence
On national security, Rufai defended the administration's tactical decisions, particularly regarding covert military operations:
-
Strategic Discretion: He noted that security agencies often intercept
and apprehend crime syndicates or financiers without immediate media
fanfare to prevent compromises in ongoing intelligence gathering.
-
Force Recruitment: Rufai praised recent directives to increase
personnel recruitment across military and intelligence platforms to
secure key forest reserves and national borders.
4. The "Not Too Young To Run" Mandate
Responding
to questions about whether youth in the governing party serve merely as
campaign vehicles, Rufai emphasized that young political entrants must
actively challenge leadership and hold officials accountable from
within:
- Grassroots Ambitions: Rufai revealed plans to mobilize
youth participation starting in his home state of Gombe, aiming to
transition young leaders from background campaign roles into elective
offices for the 2027 cycle.
Published by Qubes Magazine
Founder & Editor-in-Chief: Okwudili Onyido
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