The Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have dismissed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s move to unite opposition figures in a bid to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election. They accused him of being driven by “an inordinate ambition that is destined to fail” following his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai, on Monday, confirmed his exit from the APC, citing irreconcilable differences with the party’s leadership and accusing it of straying from its progressive ideals. He vowed to mobilise a formidable opposition coalition ahead of 2027.
El-Rufai’s Resignation and Defection
In a resignation letter submitted to his ward in Kaduna State and shared on his X account, El-Rufai expressed disappointment in the APC, stating that his private and public efforts to address its internal issues had been ignored.
“As a founding member of the APC, I have hoped that my personal values and those of the APC would continue to align until I chose to retire from politics. However, developments in the last two years confirm that those who currently control and run the APC do not desire to acknowledge, much less address, the party’s unhealthy situation,” he wrote.
He further explained that after consulting with mentors, colleagues, and supporters, he decided to join the SDP, adding that he would focus on uniting opposition parties against the APC in upcoming elections.
Presidency and APC React
Presidential aide Daniel Bwala downplayed El-Rufai’s defection, stating that while he has the right to switch parties, his motives will be scrutinised.
“We would intellectually remind you that associating with sore losers to unseat the incumbent is not an ideology. It is simply an inordinate ambition that is destined to fail,” Bwala wrote on X.
Similarly, Kaduna APC Secretary Yahaya Baba-Pate dismissed El-Rufai’s move as insignificant, asserting that the APC remains focused on securing victory for Tinubu and Kaduna Governor Uba Sani in 2027.
“We are unperturbed. Our focus is on strengthening the APC, and the calibre of politicians joining us daily shows our growing influence,” he said.
Opposition’s Response
El-Rufai has been engaging with top opposition figures, including 2023 PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. He recently attended a national conference on democracy alongside Atiku, Kayode Fayemi, and Labour Party representatives. He also held meetings with SDP Chairman Musa Garbam and Kaduna PDP leaders.
Shehu Sani, a former senator, dismissed El-Rufai’s move, saying it would not impact Kaduna’s political landscape.
“Leaving APC for SDP won’t make any difference for someone with no political relevance anymore,” Sani declared, predicting Tinubu and Uba Sani’s re-election in 2027.
Meanwhile, former APC chieftain Salihu Lukman, a key figure in opposition coalition talks, expressed disappointment over El-Rufai’s “premature” defection. He emphasised the need for a collective strategy to challenge APC dominance.
El-Rufai’s Political Maneuvering
El-Rufai has recently been seen meeting with key political figures, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, ex-Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and Pastor Tunde Bakare. His latest public appearances alongside Atiku, including at a burial in Abuja, have fueled speculation about his future political alignment.
While the SDP is a potential platform for the opposition coalition, discussions are ongoing to finalise a broader alliance before July. The Pat Utomi-led National Consultative Front welcomed El-Rufai’s return to the opposition, describing him as a strong force in the planned coalition against the APC.
As political realignments intensify ahead of 2027, all eyes are on whether El-Rufai’s defection will significantly impact Nigeria’s political landscape.