El-Rufai slams fake news, insists he has not joined PDP

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed rumors claiming he has joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other political party as false. He also threatened legal action against those spreading the rumors.

El-Rufai addressed the allegations via his verified X handle, urging the public to ignore the “patent lies” and emphasizing that he has referred the individuals responsible for the fake news to his lawyers.

“Please disregard the patent lies and rumours about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of the fake news for further action by my lawyers,” El-Rufai wrote.

An aide to the former governor, speaking on condition of anonymity, also dismissed the reports as the work of “mischief makers,” stressing that El-Rufai had not joined the PDP or any other party.

The rumors, which surfaced on Sunday, claimed that El-Rufai had rejoined the PDP to contest the 2027 presidential election. The reports alleged that El-Rufai had collected a PDP membership card in Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna North.

El-Rufai has been the subject of defection rumors since being excluded from President Tinubu’s cabinet, with the Senate citing security concerns during his screening.

In recent months, El-Rufai’s political moves have fueled speculation, including a visit to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) headquarters in March 2024, followed by meetings with key figures from various political parties. He also met with former President Muhammadu Buhari and hosted 2023 presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) in June.

Political analysts suggest that El-Rufai’s actions may be part of a larger strategy by northern politicians to challenge President Tinubu in the upcoming elections.