Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State, has expressed concerns over the deteriorating relationship between President Bola Tinubu and the North, warning that he might face a fate similar to Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2027 elections. El-Rufai has been critical of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tinubu’s policies, as discussions among party members about forming a coalition to challenge the APC intensify.
In a recent post on his verified X account titled “2027: South West, Tinubu’s supporters playing with fire – Part 1,” El-Rufai stated that while it may be premature to discuss the 2027 elections, current political dynamics compel him to do so. He expressed a desire for the APC to win re-election but acknowledged his concerns as a realist.
Reflecting on the 2019 party primaries, El-Rufai warned that if the APC continued to prioritize election victories over its progressive principles, it risked losing power like the PDP after 16 years. He noted that the current situation was unexpected, particularly under Tinubu’s leadership, and emphasized that his concerns were not about the economic climate but rather the growing discord within the party and among supporters of the Tinubu administration.
READ ALSO: FALANA: S’Court Didn’t Establish Who Is the Speaker of Rivers State.
Nasir El-Rufai recalled his warnings before the 2023 presidential election, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good relations with the North, which ultimately contributed to the APC’s success. He lamented the rapid decline in the relationship between the North and Tinubu’s administration, attributing it to the actions and attitudes of individuals from the president’s geopolitical zone.
He pointed out that, similar to the downfall of Jonathan’s administration, it was not just performance that led to his defeat but also the disrespect shown towards the North. El-Rufai highlighted that during the 2015 elections, underestimating the North and the insults directed at it were critical factors in Jonathan’s loss, particularly due to the actions of the then-first lady and others from the South-South.
He reminded readers that many of those who contributed little to Jonathan’s 2011 victory were the same individuals who later disrespected the North, forgetting that it was the efforts of groups like the Save Nigeria Group that had initially elevated Jonathan to the acting presidency after Yar’Adua’s incapacitation.
