Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has launched a scathing attack on Senate President Godswill Akpabio, branding him a “scumbag” and “Tinubu’s lapdog” for allegedly blocking key amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act that would have mandated real-time electronic transmission of election results.
In a widely circulated interview clip from TruTV shared on social media, El-Rufai directly accused Akpabio of being the primary obstacle to electoral reform, insisting that the Senate as an institution is not the issue.
“The Senate is not the problem. Akpabio, who’s a scumbag, is the problem. He’s Asiwaju’s lapdog. Akpabio knows why I’m calling him a scumbag,” El-Rufai stated bluntly in the interview.
The remarks come amid heightened public outrage over the Senate’s handling of proposed changes to the Electoral Act.
Critics argue that the removal or dilution of provisions for mandatory electronic transmission of polling unit results — a measure widely seen as critical to curbing manipulation and ensuring transparency — paves the way for potential rigging in the 2027 general elections.
The House of Representatives had reportedly passed a version including the real-time upload requirement, but the provision stalled in the Senate.
El-Rufai’s comments coincide with ongoing street protests under the hashtag #OccupyNASS, where demonstrators, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, have gathered at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
Protesters are demanding the reinstatement of mandatory electronic transmission to safeguard electoral integrity and restore public trust in the process.
Obi joined the demonstration on Monday, urging lawmakers to reconsider the amendment and avoid creating confusion that could undermine future polls.
The former governor also expressed regret over missing the February 9 protest, framing his criticism as part of a broader push for credible elections.
His attack highlights deepening fractures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where El-Rufai — once a key Tinubu ally — has grown increasingly vocal against perceived anti-reform elements in the leadership.
Social media reactions to the clip have been intense, with many users amplifying El-Rufai’s words as evidence of internal sabotage against electoral transparency.
Others have defended Akpabio, citing earlier Senate explanations that network challenges in some states made real-time transmission impractical.
As protests continue into a second day and public pressure mounts ahead of 2027, El-Rufai’s pointed remarks have intensified scrutiny on Akpabio’s role and the fate of the Electoral Act amendment.
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Observers say the controversy underscores the high stakes surrounding Nigeria’s electoral framework and the battle for reforms that could shape the country’s democratic future.
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