El-Rufai Moves to Build Coalition Against APC as 2027 Race Heats Up

In a move that could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has begun courting opposition leaders in Katsina State, holding strategic meetings with top figures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The meeting, which took place on Tuesday at a private venue in Katsina, was attended by key political players including former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mustapha Inuwa.

Though the deliberations were held behind closed doors, political observers believe El-Rufai is laying the groundwork for a broad-based alliance to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027. El-Rufai’s latest overture comes in the wake of his recent defection from the APC, which he left on March 10, citing a fundamental disconnection between the party’s current direction and the progressive ideals it once stood for. In his resignation statement, El-Rufai said, “At this point in my political journey, I must seek another political platform to pursue the progressive values I cherish.



” While PDP governors have publicly ruled out forming coalitions for now, El-Rufai’s quiet diplomacy appears aimed at building consensus across ideological lines and setting the stage for a formidable opposition bloc. The former governor, now associated with the SDP, also visited Katsina Governor Dikko Radda to condole with him on the passing of his mother, accompanied by former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal—another figure seen as pivotal in the emerging political realignments. With these moves, El-Rufai seems to be signaling his readiness to take a central role in shaping the 2027 electoral contest—and potentially becoming a rallying point for a new coalition seeking to unseat the ruling party.

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