Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has cast doubt on his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, stating that his decision will depend on the political landscape at the time. Speaking on ARISE TV’s Prime Time on Monday, El-Rufai also hinted at a possible exit from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) before the next presidential election.
“I don’t know if I will support Tinubu in 2027. I will evaluate the situation at the time and consult widely,” he said.
He revealed that his initial backing of Tinubu before the APC primaries was a collective decision by party leaders in Kaduna. According to him, their primary goal was to shift power to the South, believing that northern candidates like Yahaya Bello and Ahmed Lawan stood little chance.
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“Among the southern candidates, we had to decide who to support. Tinubu was not my friend; we were never close. But APC leaders in Kaduna believed he had the highest chances of winning, and politicians make these calculations,” he explained.
On whether he would support another southern candidate in 2027, El-Rufai remained non-committal, emphasizing that he no longer held a gubernatorial position and was unsure about his APC membership.
“Now, I’m a private citizen. I don’t know if I’ll still be in the APC by 2027, so I can’t answer that question. In 2023, I had influence as a sitting governor. That won’t be the case in 2027,” he added.
El-Rufai’s comments have sparked speculation about potential political realignments ahead of the next general election, raising questions about APC’s internal dynamics and the future of Tinubu’s presidency.
