Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that he is more determined than ever to work towards removing President Bola Tinubu from office in the 2027 general elections.
El-Rufai made this statement after an alleged attempt by security operatives to detain him at an airport. The incident, he said, has strengthened his resolve to join forces with opposition leaders to challenge the current administration at the next polls.
The former governor spoke when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited him shortly after the airport episode. Atiku’s visit was seen by observers as a show of solidarity, especially as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of 2027.
El-Rufai described the airport incident as unfortunate, unnecessary and possibly unlawful. He claimed that operatives of the Department of State Services, acting on behalf of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, attempted to detain him without prior notice.
According to him, he was not given any formal invitation by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) before the incident.
“All I asked for was a letter of invitation, and I would have honoured it,” he said.
He explained that he had earlier received an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning. However, he said he was out of the country at the time. His lawyer, he added, wrote to inform the EFCC that he would return and appear before the commission on Monday at 10 am.
El-Rufai insisted that he never ignored any lawful invitation from anti-corruption agencies. He said he believes in accountability and due process but expects the same from government institutions.
The Department of State Services, also known as the Department of State Services (DSS), is Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency. It is responsible for internal security matters. Over the years, the DSS has faced criticism from opposition figures who accuse it of being used to target political opponents. However, the agency has repeatedly said it operates within the law.
In his remarks, El-Rufai alleged that the ICPC acted on instructions from the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu is a former chairman of the EFCC and currently serves in President Tinubu’s administration.
El-Rufai accused the government of using security institutions as tools for partisan politics. According to him, such actions weaken democratic institutions and damage public trust.
He said security agencies should not be used to intimidate or harass political opponents. Instead, they should focus on protecting the country and upholding the law.
El-Rufai’s statement comes at a time when political activities are slowly gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections. Although the elections are still more than a year away, discussions about possible alliances and strategies have already begun.
President Tinubu was elected in 2023 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His victory was challenged in court by opposition candidates, including Atiku Abubakar. The Supreme Court eventually upheld Tinubu’s election.
Since then, the political atmosphere has remained tense, with opposition leaders criticising the government’s policies on the economy, security and governance.
El-Rufai, who was once a strong ally of President Tinubu within the APC, has in recent months taken a more critical stance. His latest comments suggest a widening gap between him and the current administration.
During his meeting with Atiku, El-Rufai called on opposition leaders to remain united and focused. He urged them not to lose sight of their goal of unseating the ruling party in 2027.
“What happened today has made me more determined,” he said. “We must keep working and not rest until March 2027 when we remove this government from office.”
His words are likely to add fuel to ongoing political debates across the country.
El-Rufai’s call for unity suggests that discussions about possible coalitions or alliances may be underway behind the scenes.
Despite his strong criticism, El-Rufai maintained that he is ready to respond to any lawful invitation from anti-corruption agencies. He said he supports the fight against corruption but insists that due process must be followed.
Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, were established to investigate and prosecute corruption cases. Over the years, they have handled cases involving politicians, public officials and business leaders.
However, critics have often accused successive governments of using these agencies to target political opponents while shielding allies. Supporters of the government usually deny such claims and argue that investigations are based on evidence, not politics.
El-Rufai warned that if security institutions are perceived as partisan, it could weaken democracy and the rule of law. He said democratic institutions must remain neutral to maintain public confidence.
The airport incident and El-Rufai’s reaction have sparked discussions among political watchers about what the coming months may hold.
Some believe the episode could deepen divisions within the political class. Others see it as part of the usual tensions that come with Nigeria’s competitive politics.
Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999 after years of military government. Since then, the country has conducted several general elections, with varying levels of controversy and legal battles.
As 2027 approaches, many Nigerians are watching closely to see how political actors will position themselves. Issues such as economic hardship, rising cost of living, insecurity and unemployment are likely to dominate campaign discussions.
For El-Rufai, the message is clear. He says the airport incident has only strengthened his resolve to challenge the current administration through democratic means.
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