Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called on key opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a widely circulated interview with BBC Hausa on Saturday, El-Rufai dismissed the idea of a merger, instead urging political heavyweights such as former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to align with the SDP to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
“My wishes and prayers are for Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf, and all opposition leaders to come and join SDP—not to form a merger or register a new political party,” he stated.
El-Rufai, who previously backed Tinubu in the 2023 election, expressed disappointment in the current administration, saying he had believed in Tinubu’s ability to replicate his success in Lagos but had been let down.
“What pains me is that the government we supported and had confidence in has failed. We saw what Tinubu did in Lagos despite his challenges, and we thought he could do the same for Nigeria. However, he has failed,” he remarked.
On speculation about his own presidential ambitions, El-Rufai maintained that the decision was not his to make but would depend on the party and public support.
“It is not for me to decide; it is the party and the people that will determine. Even when I ran for governor, people convinced (Muhammadu) Buhari, and he called me to contest,” he explained.
El-Rufai officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 10, citing a misalignment of values with the ruling party.
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