Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai has criticized selective accountability in Nigeria's system of governance, warning that members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are rarely accused of corruption.
El-Rufai made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja during the 23rd Annual Daily Trust Dialogue with the theme, “Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: What’s Working and What’s Not?”
According to him, Nigeria has strengthened the conventions of democracy without incorporating genuine accountability, resulting in uneven implementation of laws and weakening of public confidence in governance.
He said, “We have governance without accountability. Nigeria has focused more on reforms in form rather than substance. We hold elections, set up agencies and announce asset recovery, but accountability in the act of governing remains selective.”
He argued that corruption allegations are often weaponized against those in opposition, tolerated for politicians seeking an alliance with the ruling party, and effectively ignored by those already associated with power.
He said, “Corruption has become dangerous for some people sitting in the opposition, it has become negotiable for those sitting on the fence and trying to join APC and it has become invisible to those in power. APC members are rarely accused of corruption.”
El-Rufai, who heads the APC ruling party, warned that selective justice has concrete consequences for ordinary Nigerians, saying unpaid salaries, abandoned projects, dilapidated infrastructure and growing public skepticism are symptoms of weak accountability.
“When laws are unevenly enforced, resistance goes away. And when resistance goes away, trust goes away. That's exactly what is happening in Nigeria,” he said.
The former governor called for immediate institutional strengthening, especially judicial reforms, to guarantee credible elections and a truly independent electoral commission.
He stressed that it is necessary to restore morality and efficiency in government to maintain the meaning of politics.
He said, “Reform is not just about what should change; it is also about what should stay.”
The dialogue included a panel session with the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare, former lawmaker and former Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nnanna elendu-ukeje.
Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki presided over the event while the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja served as the guest of honour.
