Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has expressed confidence that the political coalition he now belongs to can unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election—without relying on the support of state governors.
Speaking to journalists in Kano on Monday, El-Rufai, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), said the coalition is focused on a grassroots strategy that prioritizes direct engagement with voters over political alliances with officeholders.
“We are trying to offer Nigerians a real alternative — something different from what they have seen before,” El-Rufai said. “A governor has only one vote. Nigerians have many more votes than one governor or even 36 governors combined.”
His comments come in the wake of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum rejecting the idea of any merger or coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. Following a recent meeting in Ibadan, the forum distanced itself from any opposition alliance. The decision followed a visit by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, fueling speculation about possible political realignments.
Despite the PDP’s stance and recent defections—including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Atiku’s 2023 running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, both of whom joined the APC—El-Rufai insisted that the coalition’s strength lies with the people, not political heavyweights.
“The fact that one governor from the PDP has defected means nothing,” he said. “We are not counting on governors to win elections. We are counting on the people.”
Citing President Tinubu’s loss in Lagos during the 2023 elections despite backing from the state governor, El-Rufai emphasized that the electorate holds the ultimate power. “If the people of Nigeria say they are not with you, it is over,” he said.
According to El-Rufai, the coalition aims to present a credible alternative to both the APC and the PDP, which he described as parties weakened by internal conflicts. He stressed that the movement is not seeking a merger with the PDP but is focused on building a new political force that can restore hope and unity in the country.
“This is not about North or South anymore. It is about survival, unity, and progress. Whoever can deliver that — wherever they come from — will have my support,” he stated.
On the issue of selecting a presidential candidate, El-Rufai said such discussions were premature. “Our focus now is not on selecting candidates. It is on building the platform first,” he explained, calling on presidential hopefuls to shelve their ambitions and help strengthen the coalition.
He also emphasized the coalition’s commitment to inclusiveness and internal democracy, distancing the movement from the political culture of godfatherism. “What destroyed previous parties in Nigeria is a lack of internal democracy and the stranglehold of godfathers. We want to eliminate that,” El-Rufai said.
He concluded by stating that the coalition seeks to unite individuals and groups with a shared vision for change, regardless of their political backgrounds. “We are building something fresh, something that will inspire hope,” he added.
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