Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has publicly declared that he harbours no political ambition for the 2027 elections, asserting that his current political involvement stems from a personal responsibility to help reverse what he described as a national calamity caused by the administration he once supported.
Speaking with ARISE News on Monday, El-Rufai admitted to playing a role in President Bola Tinubu’s emergence but said the consequences of that political decision have prompted him to take corrective action.
“I have no political ambition. I simply feel that, having played a part in bringing about what I now see as a tragedy for Nigeria, I owe it to the country to help remove what I believe is a dangerous threat to our future,” he said.
The former governor revealed that discussions are underway among opposition figures to forge a unified political front capable of unseating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election. According to him, coalition leaders are considering either aligning under an existing party or registering a new one.
“You do not go into a political contest with a single strategy. Very early on, we agreed to examine both existing parties that could serve as a common platform and the option of creating an entirely new political vehicle,” El-Rufai explained.
He indicated that a new party may be the preferred option, claiming that the ruling APC has been meddling in opposition affairs by sowing internal discord.
“A fresh party avoids inherited complications and what I call political ‘viruses’ — agents of the ruling party deliberately inserted to destabilise opposition platforms. We’ve seen this in the PDP, Labour Party, and even the NNPP,” he said.
Expressing concern over the impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), El-Rufai cast doubt on the commission’s willingness to register a new political party under its current leadership.
“Many of us believe that INEC, as it is presently constituted, is unlikely to register any new party. Professor Mahmood Yakubu is not Attahiru Jega, and President Tinubu is certainly not Goodluck Jonathan. But we’ve decided to make the attempt anyway, to expose the extent of state interference and INEC’s lack of autonomy,” he said.
El-Rufai, who is currently aligned with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), described it as the most suitable platform for the coalition but maintained that the final decision would be taken collectively.
“The SDP has historical depth, emotional appeal, and the kind of symbolism needed for national mobilisation. However, I will respect whatever decision the coalition arrives at,” he noted.
When asked about potential presidential candidates within the group, he clarified that the focus remains firmly on nation-building rather than individual ambitions.
“We are not yet discussing candidates. Before you talk about flagbearers, you need a platform. Everyone involved so far is focused on fixing the country, not promoting personal aspirations,” he said.
El-Rufai rejected the assumption that the presence of political heavyweights in the coalition necessarily meant hidden presidential ambitions.
“Having a prominent name does not imply personal ambition. What unites us is the belief that Nigeria is off course and that urgent action is needed to set it right,” he added.
Reflecting on his support for former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and President Bola Tinubu in 2023, El-Rufai conceded that he now regrets the outcomes of both administrations.