A former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, recently hosted Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections. This meeting took place at El-Rufai’s residence in Abuja. This event occurred just a few days after El-Rufai visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.
The timing and nature of these meetings have sparked speculation and insinuations that El-Rufai may be aligning with opposition parties as part of his strategy for the 2027 presidential election. Such moves have attracted significant attention, with many observers analyzing the possible implications for the political landscape.
Earlier in March, El-Rufai also met with the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja. This series of meetings with key figures from various political parties suggests a potential repositioning by the former governor, who is known for his strategic political maneuvers.
El-Rufai’s political journey faced a notable hiccup when he was on the brink of securing a ministerial appointment in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Despite being nominated by President Tinubu, El-Rufai’s appointment was unexpectedly withdrawn at the last minute during the screening process. This development was a significant setback for El-Rufai, who is a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In response to this and other political developments, El-Rufai has not shied away from expressing his views. He has been vocal in his criticism of the current administration. On April 15, he notably criticized the federal government’s handling of the petrol subsidy. El-Rufai claimed that the Bola Tinubu-led government was spending more money on petrol subsidies than previous administrations. He pointed out, “the federal government is now subsidizing fuel; many people don’t know this.”
El-Rufai’s comments reflect his broader concerns about the economic policies of the current administration. His critical stance indicates a growing dissatisfaction among some APC members with the federal government’s direction under President Tinubu.
Reacting to El-Rufai’s visit to Buhari, Shehu Sani, a former Senator who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, shared his perspective. Sani claimed that El-Rufai’s visit was part of a broader plot by some prominent northern politicians to unseat President Tinubu in the next election. Sani’s remarks underscore the potential rifts within the APC and highlight the political maneuvering that could shape the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
The unfolding events suggest that El-Rufai is positioning himself as a key player in the evolving political scenario. His engagements with various political figures and his outspoken criticism of the current administration indicate his ambitions and strategic planning for the future. As the political dynamics continue to shift, El-Rufai’s actions will be closely watched by both allies and opponents, given his influence and the potential impact of his moves on the broader political landscape.
