The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of fueling ethnic divisions after reports emerged that he is mobilizing northern political leaders against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, dismissed El-Rufai as an “overrated ethnic champion” who is attempting to position himself as the North’s political mouthpiece following his failure to secure a ministerial appointment.
El-Rufai, who was nominated but rejected by the National Assembly on security grounds, has in recent weeks held a series of meetings with top northern politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu. His recent attacks on the APC’s internal structure and warnings of a possible “Goodluck Jonathan treatment” for Tinubu in 2027 have further fueled speculation about his political realignments.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed readiness to welcome El-Rufai, with PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stating that the party is open to working with anyone willing to “rescue Nigeria” from APC’s leadership.
As political tensions rise, El-Rufai’s next moves remain unclear, but his growing alliances with opposition figures suggest a major political shift ahead of the 2027 elections.
