The Mayor of Urhoboland, His Excellency Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro, a prominent ex-militant leader from the Niger Delta region, has responded forcefully to comments made by former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, regarding the 2027 general elections. Akpodoro emphasized that the people of the South-South geopolitical zone have become wiser and will not align with the North to oppose the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, Akpodoro reacted to reports that El-Rufai had called for the North and South-South to join forces in a bid to unseat the current administration in 2027. Speaking on behalf of ex-militant leaders and the people of the South-South, the Mayor expressed disbelief at El-Rufai’s comments, asserting that such an alliance would never be repeated, referencing the ill-fated 2015 political move against then-President Goodluck Jonathan. Akpodoro described this suggestion as “foolishness” and reiterated that the South-South would not be swayed by such appeals.
He went further to challenge El-Rufai to outline his achievements as governor of Kaduna State, questioning what legacies he left behind other than a legacy of pain, sorrow, and violence during his tenure. Akpodoro pointed to the situation in Southern Kaduna, where the people are reportedly grateful to President Tinubu for alleviating the bloodshed caused by banditry, something El-Rufai failed to address during his time in office.
Akpodoro accused El-Rufai of caring only for his own interests and those of his family and proxies, rather than the welfare of the people he governed. He also criticized the former governor for allegedly ruling with an iron fist, leaving the people of Kaduna in worse conditions than before he took office. Furthermore, Akpodoro reminded El-Rufai of his controversial role in the sale of the Aluminum Smelting Company (ALSCON) and other assets, which were allegedly sold below their value for personal gain, leaving the people of the South-South region deeply resentful.
The Mayor also questioned El-Rufai’s motivations, asking when the APC or President Tinubu had ever become such a liability that El-Rufai felt compelled to turn against them. He accused the former governor of trying to deceive Nigerians, using his usual tactics to undermine systems that do not serve his personal ambitions. Akpodoro also alluded to El-Rufai’s betrayal of his former godfather, Vice President Atiku Abubakar, when their relationship soured, as evidence of his untrustworthy nature.
Akpodoro linked El-Rufai’s current actions to jealousy and frustration over his failed bid to secure a ministerial appointment under President Tinubu, suggesting that the former governor’s outbursts were driven by his inability to infiltrate the new administration.
In addition, Akpodoro urged El-Rufai to focus on addressing the allegations of financial mismanagement under his administration in Kaduna, rather than engaging in political schemes. He suggested that El-Rufai’s integrity should be a priority, especially in light of the panel investigating his tenure in office.
The Mayor also reminded the public of the controversial privatization actions during El-Rufai’s time as Chairman of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), including the sale of NITEL, Nigerian Airways, and Delta Steel Company, which left workers destitute without gratuity. These actions, he argued, have yet to be acknowledged by El-Rufai or his supporters.
Addressing the issue of 2027, Akpodoro firmly stated that anyone who aligns with El-Rufai in a bid to challenge President Tinubu’s government will fail, just as El-Rufai’s political maneuvering in 2023 was unsuccessful. He also criticized the former governor’s role in the underdevelopment of Rivers State during his tenure, which was rectified by Governor Nyesom Wike.
He concluded by warning the South-South people not to be deceived by political schemers like El-Rufai, who seek to manipulate them for selfish gain. Akpodoro reiterated that the South-South will not support any political figures who have been involved in the plundering of national resources and urged the people to remain united in support of President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which he believes is already yielding positive results.
