Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has admitted that the outcome of the 2023 general elections taught him a valuable political lesson that elections are ultimately decided by the people, not political officeholders.
Speaking in Kano on Monday, April 28, during a media chat, El-Rufai revealed that despite putting in great effort to deliver victory for then-APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he lost Kaduna State to the opposition. This experience, he said, reshaped his political perspective.
“I was governor of Kaduna State. I fought hard to deliver President Tinubu, but I lost. That taught me a hard lesson — elections are decided by the people, not politicians,” El-Rufai said.
El-Rufai Joins SDP, Champions People-Centered Coalition
El-Rufai, now a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and a central figure in a growing opposition coalition, emphasized that the movement is built around ordinary Nigerians, not political elites.
“We are not counting on governors. A governor has just one vote. Millions of Nigerians have more power than 36 governors combined,” he stated.
Referencing Tinubu’s 2023 loss in Lagos — despite having a sitting APC governor — El-Rufai questioned the actual electoral influence of governors.
Coalition Not Focused on Candidates Yet
Amid speculations surrounding the coalition’s potential presidential flagbearer, with names like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi being mentioned, El-Rufai clarified that no candidate discussions are underway.
“We’ve told all aspirants to put aside their ambitions for now. Let’s first build a credible, trusted platform for Nigerians,” he said.
He warned that the current situation in Nigeria is too dire for politics as usual, adding:
“This is about national survival. I don’t care where the next president comes from. What matters is competence, unity, and progress.”
Defections from PDP Won’t Deter Coalition Plans
Addressing recent defections from the PDP to the APC, including those of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Vice Presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, El-Rufai dismissed concerns that they weaken the opposition.
“The defection of one PDP governor means nothing to us. We’re not building this coalition around governors,” he maintained.
PDP Governors’ Forum Rejects Coalition Talks
Despite El-Rufai’s coalition gaining momentum, the PDP Governors’ Forum, during a recent meeting in Ibadan, ruled out any merger plans. The forum emphasized that the PDP remains focused on rebuilding its structure for future elections.
Yet, in a twist, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, days after the forum’s decision, openly pledged support for President Tinubu’s re-election, signaling internal divisions.
“We Must Offer Nigerians a Real Alternative”
El-Rufai concluded with a passionate call for political reform, warning that if Nigeria’s current trajectory isn’t reversed, there might be no country left to fight for by 2027.
“This coalition must offer Nigerians a real alternative. If we continue like this, there will be nothing left to govern,” he said.
“We are not building a party for the North, South, Christians, or Muslims. We’re building a platform for Nigerians.”
