Former Kaduna State Governor Nassir El-Rufai has declared that President Bola Tinubu has no chance of securing re-election in 2027, asserting that Nigerians, not politicians, will determine the outcome of the polls. In a scathing critique, El-Rufai described the current wave of political defections as driven by “greedy and hungry” politicians seeking personal gain or fleeing anti-corruption agencies, rather than reflecting the will of the electorate.
“Anybody that thinks it is possible for President Bola Tinubu to get re-elected is living in another country, not Nigeria,” El-Rufai stated. “It’s impossible for Bola Tinubu to be elected. I don’t see a pathway for him, no matter how disorganised the opposition is.”
El-Rufai, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, argued that the ongoing defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are not indicative of public sentiment. He suggested that those switching allegiance fall into two categories: opportunistic politicians chasing “money, contracts, appointments, or office,” and individuals wary of investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) due to past misconduct.
“The Nigerian people, those who actually vote, are not defecting,” he emphasised. “They aren’t interested in EFCC, neither are they interested in PDP.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, El-Rufai predicted a starkly different political landscape, framing the contest as a confrontation between the EFCC and the Nigerian populace, rather than a traditional battle between political parties or elected officials. He dismissed the relevance of many current officeholders, claiming they are “totally discredited” due to widespread governance failures across the country.
El-Rufai revealed that the Social Democratic Party (SDP), alongside a coalition of political groups, is positioning itself to capitalise on this public disillusionment. “This is what the SDP and the coalition of political parties or groups we work with are targeting,” he said, expressing optimism about the coalition’s strategy to mobilise voters disillusioned with the status quo.
The former governor’s remarks come amid growing public frustration with Nigeria’s political elite, as economic challenges and governance issues continue to dominate national discourse. His comments are likely to stir debate, particularly as Tinubu’s administration grapples with mounting criticism and the opposition seeks to unify ahead of the next general election.
