Nasir El-Rufai says Nigeria’s rising opposition coalition doesn’t want state governors to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Talking in Kano on Monday, April 28, the previous Kaduna governor, now a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), described the motion as grassroots-driven and never reliant on political elites.
“We are attempting to supply Nigerians an actual various, one thing totally different from what they’ve seen earlier than,” El-Rufai stated.
He confused that the facility lies with the individuals, not political officeholders. “A governor has just one vote. Nigerians have many extra votes than one governor and even 36 governors mixed,” he added.
His remarks adopted the PDP Governors’ Discussion board’s determination to distance itself from any coalition talks. After a gathering in Ibadan, the Discussion board stated it was targeted on rebuilding the PDP for the longer term.
However El-Rufai was unbothered. He dismissed the latest defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and 2023 vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa as inconsequential.
“The truth that one governor from the PDP has defected means nothing. We aren’t relying on governors to win elections. We’re relying on the individuals,” he stated.
He cited the 2023 election, the place regardless of backing from a sitting Lagos governor, Tinubu misplaced the state. “So, what’s the actual worth of a governor?” he requested.
“I fought onerous to ship President Tinubu in Kaduna, however I misplaced. That taught me a tough lesson. Elections are finally determined by the individuals, not political figures.”
El-Rufai stated the coalition is concentrated on constructing a people-first platform. “Governors don’t decide election outcomes. The individuals do. We would like the SDP and our coalition to remind Nigerians of that basic reality.”
When requested about potential presidential candidates like Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi, El-Rufai stated it was too early. “Our focus now will not be on deciding on candidates. It’s on constructing the platform first,” he stated.
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He stated all presidential hopefuls have been urged to put aside their ambitions and assist create a reputable political various.
El-Rufai additionally rejected zoning and id politics, insisting that competence should come first. “I now not care the place the president comes from. I need somebody who can remedy Nigeria’s issues and encourage voters,” he stated.
“We face an existential disaster. It’s now not about North or South. It’s about survival, unity, and progress. Whoever can ship that has my assist.”
On studies of a possible PDP merger, El-Rufai was blunt. “That was by no means on the desk. The PDP is a spent drive, a celebration focused for destruction, and admittedly, it has virtually succeeded.”
He stated the coalition is set to construct one thing contemporary, one thing that may encourage hope. “When Nigerians have a look at the faces concerned, they are going to hopefully say: ‘Sure, possibly this time will probably be totally different.’ That’s the purpose, and it’s ongoing.”
El-Rufai confirmed that the SDP would function the coalition’s platform, explaining that the occasion has the required construction to resist INEC’s deregistration guidelines.
“As you realize, INEC can now deregister events that don’t win seats in state assemblies. We studied the choices and located that the SDP has the most effective probability of surviving. It has pedigree and historical past, nevertheless it wants work.”
He confused that forming a celebration is the simple half. The problem lies in constructing constructions and guaranteeing it’s really democratic.
“Forming a celebration is straightforward. Constructing one, registering members, holding congresses, creating management from polling models to the nationwide degree, that’s the actual work,” he stated.
El-Rufai additionally emphasised inside democracy, warning in opposition to a repeat of the dominance of political godfathers.
“What destroyed earlier events in Nigeria is the dearth of inside democracy. The APC began with hope, nevertheless it ended up managed by one or two individuals. We would like a celebration that nobody owns, the place everybody has a voice,” he stated.
