2027: APC, PDP clash as El-Rufai leads opposition against Tinubu

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai is under fire from the All Progressives Congress (APC) amid reports he is rallying northern political leaders against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 polls.

APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru accused El-Rufai of pushing an ethnic agenda as retaliation for not securing a ministerial appointment in Tinubu’s administration—a nomination that was later rejected by the National Assembly on security grounds.

Recent reports indicate that El-Rufai has held meetings with key northern figures, including former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. Last Friday, he joined Atiku on a condolence visit to the family of Niger Delta elder statesman Edwin Clark.

During the visit, El-Rufai praised Atiku’s role in shaping economic policies during the Obasanjo era, lamenting that history often forgets his contributions.

After the condolence visit, El-Rufai and Atiku observed Juma’at prayers together. The following day, he participated in a closed-door meeting with the Kaduna State PDP executive committee, fueling speculation about possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

Within 24 hours, El-Rufai visited former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu at his residence in Keffi, Nasarawa State—a move confirmed by social media reports. Adamu, who resigned as APC chairman in July 2023 following a fallout with Tinubu, remains a significant political figure in the region.

El-Rufai has also criticized the APC, alleging a lack of internal democracy as its organs have not convened in over two years. Two weeks ago, he shared an opinion piece by social commentator Uche Diala, warning that Tinubu’s relationship with the North was deteriorating—a scenario he compared to the conditions that led to Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 electoral defeat.

APC National Secretary Basiru dismissed these political maneuvers, labeling El-Rufai an “overrated ethnic champion” who seeks to divide northern and southern politicians.