Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has issued a rallying cry to opposition forces across Nigeria, urging them to unite in a bid to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a visit to Sokoto State on Saturday, El-Rufai launched a scathing attack on his former party, describing it as “incompetent and clannish,” and warning that its continued stay in power threatens the very fabric of Nigeria’s unity and future. The visit formed part of what he described as a grassroots mobilisation drive to consolidate support for a growing opposition coalition ahead of the polls.
“This is the fight of our lives,” El-Rufai told a gathering of political stakeholders, youth groups, and women leaders drawn from Sokoto’s 23 local government areas. “If we allow this APC government another term, what remains of Nigeria’s social fabric may be destroyed.”
The former governor, once a prominent face in the APC, said he entered politics “not to enrich myself but to serve,” adding that when a government ceases to serve the people, “it is my duty as a senior citizen to not only speak out but also take action to reverse the situation.”
He revealed that the coalition of opposition forces had chosen the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 elections—a strategic move, he said, aimed at offering Nigerians a credible alternative focused on national interest rather than personal ambition.
At one of the events, opposition leader and former minister, Abubakar Gada, affirmed the coalition’s commitment to restoring competent leadership at both state and federal levels. “What we are building is not just a political platform but a movement to reclaim Nigeria,” Gada said.
El-Rufai’s dramatic shift from party stalwart to vocal critic signals a turbulent period ahead for the APC, as discontent within and outside its ranks continues to mount amid growing economic and security concerns.
