Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that he and other top political figures have what it takes to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and remove the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a program aired on Channels Television on Sunday, El-Rufai said his deep knowledge of the APC’s formation gives him a strong advantage. He claimed that both he and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar understand the weaknesses of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), respectively, and can use that knowledge to build a strong opposition.
“We formed the APC; we know where the dead body is buried,” El-Rufai said.
“Some of them, like Atiku, know where the PDP’s dead body is buried. Together we can face APC. We don’t need to bring totally different people from nowhere to challenge APC.”
El-Rufai’s comments come amid rising political tension and discussions around potential coalitions ahead of the 2027 elections.
In recent weeks, El-Rufai, Atiku, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and other political figures have been linked to a growing opposition movement centered around the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The emerging coalition is reportedly being built as an alternative to both APC and PDP, the two dominant political parties in the country since 1999.
The group aims to bring together influential politicians, technocrats, and younger leaders to form what insiders describe as a “credible third force.”
Although the coalition is still in its early stages, political observers say it could pose a serious challenge to the ruling APC if properly organised.
El-Rufai did not hold back in his criticism of President Tinubu’s administration. He said that since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, both the economy and security situation in Nigeria have worsened.
“The truth is that things are not getting better under this government,” he said.
“Prices are rising, people are struggling, and insecurity is still a major problem.”
The former governor, who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under President Obasanjo and later as governor of Kaduna State for eight years, said he is speaking out because Nigeria needs change.
El-Rufai was a key member of the group that helped form the APC in 2013 through the merger of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and factions of other parties.
He was a strong supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 and 2019 elections. However, in recent months, El-Rufai has distanced himself from the current administration and has openly criticised some of its policies.
As political activities build up ahead of the 2027 elections, more realignments and coalition talks are expected among opposition parties and dissatisfied politicians within the APC and PDP.
