Following a recent wave of criticism by former ally Nasir El-Rufai, President Bola Tinubu’s government has hit back at the former Kaduna governor, dismissing him as a rabble-rouser and member of a coalition of “internally displaced politicians”.

Presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala, in a statement on Monday, reacting to Mr El-Rufai’s interview on Arise TV.

“I listened to the interview of my elder brother @elrufai Nasir El-Rufai on Prime Time Arise TV tonight. He didn’t say anything new or outside the realm of what anyone in the opposition or coalition would say,” Mr Bwala said. “Their coalition is still an association of internally displaced politicians formed for a wild goose chase. Dead on arrival.”

A former apologist for Mr Tinubu, who has since turned into a political adversary, Mr El-Rufai, on Monday called the president a failure and an “evil“.

“I just feel that having contributed to bringing this tragedy upon Nigeria by contributing to the emergence of Bola Tinubu as president of Nigeria,” Mr El-Rufai said. “I should contribute in my last lap. Let me contribute toward removing this evil I believe will destroy Nigeria if left unchecked.”

Previously, Mr El-Rufai admitted to backing Mr Tinubu for president despite being aware of his cocaine and certificate forgery scandals.