Politics
“I Am Qualified To Call Akpabio A Scumbag By Every Definition, He’s Tinubu’s Lapdog” – El-Rufai Blasts Senate President, Predicts Showdown Over Electoral Bill
I do not consider him distinguished. We’ve known each other since the 90s.
Abuja, Nigeria- Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio, describing him as “a scumbag by every definition and “nothing but an Asiwaju lapdog over proposed amendments to Nigeria’s electoral framework.
Speaking during an appearance on TrustTV on Wednesday, El-Rufai also accused Akpabio of frustrating moves to restore provisions for the real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units.
“So I am confident that the conference committee will recommend restoration. Now it is up to the Senate, well particularly the Senate President, because I think the majority of the Senators also want the same. The majority of the Senators are gentlemen,” El-Rufai said.
“They want Nigeria to move forward. They are distinguished former governors, former ministers and former representatives. They are distinguished people that want to see Nigeria make progress.
“And I think the Senate will overwhelmingly outvote their presiding officer. Because let’s be clear, it is not the Senate here that is the problem. Akpabio, who is a scumbag by every definition, is the problem.
“And Akpabio is nothing but a Asiwaju lapdog. That’s what’s going on. And the Senators will have to come together and protest and prevent that from happening when they reconvene.”
The former governor’s comments came amid heated debate over proposed amendments to Nigeria’s electoral laws, particularly regarding the inclusion of provisions mandating the real-time electronic transmission of results directly from polling units.
When the programme host pushed back on El-Rufai’s choice of words, noting that Akpabio himself will also protest on the use of your choice of word to describe him. He may have his issues, but certainly it is good to stay within the limits in terms of describing maybe distinguished people like him, don’t you think? El-Rufai remained defiant.
“I do not consider him distinguished. We’ve known each other since the 90s,” he replied.
“He knows how far we’ve been through. And I think I’m qualified to call him a scumbag and he knows why.”
El-Rufai also addressed concerns that even if the National Assembly restores the controversial provision, the President would still need to assent to it before it becomes law.
When asked whether he had considered the possibility that the President might refuse assent — especially given his earlier allegation that the ruling party was opposed to the provision because it could cost it elections — El-Rufai insisted that his position remained unchanged.
“Yes, what I said is absolutely right,” he said.
“And my sense is that when the National Assembly overrides Akpabio and includes this provision, the president may withhold assent, in which case it will come back to the National Assembly for them to exercise their two thirds override, to override his veto.
“I think that will happen because I think the voice of Nigerians is very loud.
“And as far as the National Assembly members are concerned, and for their own self-preservation, they must preserve this provision for the real time transmission of results from the polling unit using electronic means. It’s for their own survival. It’s for the survival of this democracy.”
However, the host expressed skepticism, pointing to previous actions by the same National Assembly, including the controversial change of the national anthem and the manner in which tax reform bills were passed, which critics said lacked clarity and transparency.
“But others may not be as hopeful as you are, given what this same National Assembly has done over many issues, like the way it’s changed the national anthem, the way the tax laws were passed and all the controversy about actually what is the version that has been gazetted and all of that. There has been no clarity on this all important issue. So how do you expect it to be any different over this matter of almost life and death that is winning or losing an election?” the host asked.
In response, El-Rufai argued that the political context has changed significantly as the country inches closer to another election cycle.
“Because we’re in election season,” he said.
“And two years ago, they can change the national anthem in five minutes. Last year, they can play games with the tax reform bills. But now they know that 2026 is there of preparing for elections.
“It is there that candidates will emerge and Nigerians are watching and Nigerians are angry and Nigerians will punish them if they go the way that Akpabio and Tinubu want.”
