2027: Jitters in APC as El-Rufai, in bold move, meets Kaduna State PDP executives
By KEMI KASUMU
He said Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, “IN POLITICS …Dread Most The One Who: ▪︎ Knows and understands strategy and tactics and also knows and understands your own strategy and tactics.”
Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, alongside Bashir Saidu, held a closed-door meeting with leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna on Tuesday, February 18., 2025.
The meeting has fueled political speculation amid growing tensions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
A source privy to the discussions described the meeting as “strategic,” adding, “We are still politicking. Get ready for whatever is coming your way.”
While El-Rufai has yet to make any public statement regarding the meeting, political analysts believe this may be a precursor to a major realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
The political landscape in Kaduna and beyond has been abuzz with reactions following the meeting, with many Nigerians sharing their opinions on social media. One user, @DavidGODsHeart, expressed optimism about El-Rufai’s possible defection:
“Excellent. We need to dislodge APC from Aso Rock for the betterment of the citizens.”
Similarly, @MyNameIsQuadri suggested that El-Rufai’s move could be motivated by political rivalry within the APC: “Probably El-Rufai will return to PDP, if not for anything, but to get back at Uba Sani. I think it is more about Uba Sani than Tinubu.”
However, not everyone sees El-Rufai’s potential shift as a loss for the APC. @Otunbacashogy2 commented: “Congratulations to him, the earlier he leaves APC the better for the party. I am confident that more people will leave PDP for APC because of him.”
Amidst the political maneuvering, the Presidency has accused El-Rufai of attempting to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Daniel Bwala, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, criticized El-Rufai over his recent statement that the APC had abandoned its founding principles.
“El-Rufai’s claims about poor leadership within the APC are a calculated attempt to destabilize the government,” Bwala remarked.
The former Kaduna governor has not directly responded to the allegations, but his recent actions suggest he may be preparing for a political showdown ahead of 2027.
Previously, a media report had it that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Friday, February 21, paid a condolence visit to the family of late elder statesman, Edwin Clark.
It would be recalled that Clark, a former federal commissioner, died on Monday, February 17, at the age of 97.
Earlier, Atiku, along with El-Rufai, Bindow Jibrilla, and several others, participated in the sacred Friday prayers at AYA Juma’at Mosque in Abuja.
In his reaction to the development, Dr. Uche Diala, a public affairs analyst sharing the same political idea with El-Rufai, made an non-pretending statement via his verified Facebook timeline approving the latest move by the former Kaduna State Governor.
He said Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, “IN POLITICS …Dread Most The One Who:
“▪︎ Knows and understands strategy and tactics and also knows and understands your own strategy and tactics.
“▪︎ Understands or knows the strands used or needed to weave the fabrics of national politics.
“▪︎ Knows exactly where the dead bodies are buried.”
However, he sent a caution saying, “⚠️ Before Anyone Starts Tripping ..
“I’m not insinuating anything neither am I advising anyone, since they said I should not advice them any longer. I’m just saying what’s on my mind, as I was asked. #OrdinaryBlogger #ItsNotBySize”, said Uche Diala.
