Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, says he is not driven by any political ambition but by a sense of duty to help correct what he called a national tragedy caused by the current administration, which he once supported.
“You’ve mentioned my name. I have no ambition. I just feel that having contributed to bringing about this tragedy to Nigeria, by contributing to the emergence of Bola Tinubu as president, I should contribute in my last lap… let me contribute towards removing this evil that I believe will destroy Nigeria if left unchecked,” El-Rufai declared during an interview on Arise Television.
In an exclusive interview on ARISE NEWS on Monday, the former governor said his decision to align with the opposition coalition stems from a collective resolve to challenge the current administration in 2027. According to him, leaders within the coalition are exploring both existing political parties and the formation of a new party as a platform to contest the next general elections.
“Well look, you don’t go to war with only one plan. So very early in our discussions, the leaders of the coalition took the decision that we’ll not only look for existing platforms and identify one that is suitable for all of us to go under one roof, but we’ll also explore the possibility of registering a brand new party,” he said.
He added that many coalition leaders favour forming a new party due to alleged interference by the ruling party in opposition groups.
“I think a brand new party doesn’t have any legacy problems or any viruses injected, because what the government, the ruling party, and the government have been doing is to create problems in the opposition parties by recruiting and financing viruses to multiply. This is what is happening in the Labour Party, the PDP, and even the NNPP,” El-Rufai said.
He also cast doubt on the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of potentially blocking the registration of new political parties under the current leadership.
“Many of us do not believe that under the current leadership of INEC, a new party will be registered, because Dr Mahmoud Yakubu is not Jega, and President Tinubu is not Jonathan. But we said, let’s try it anyway. Let’s show that INEC is not independent. Let’s show that this government is interfering to ensure there is no opposition,” he said.
El-Rufai insisted that the SDP, which he currently belongs to, remains a strong contender for the coalition platform but stressed that the final decision would be made collectively.
“I strongly believe that the SDP is the best platform for the coalition. It has a history, it has a legacy, it has a sentimental value, and everything about it is almost perfect. The name, the logo, everything… But it will be a collective decision… I will do whatever I can to ensure that we unite under one platform.”
On whether a consensus presidential candidate has been discussed, El-Rufai said,
“First, you need a party. Every party has its constitution and rules… We are not even talking about that. This is why I feel quite empowered and encouraged by the attitude of the leadership, because nobody is talking about his aspiration.”
He dismissed suggestions that big names within the coalition automatically translated into political ambition.
“Big names does not equate ambitions,” he said. “Everybody is saying, we have a problem… Let’s come together, send them back home, and put this country back on track.”
El-Rufai, who supported Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and Bola Tinubu in 2023, confirmed his regret over the outcome of both administrations.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
