Your decision not to contest position in 2027 unpopular, El-Rufai told

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

According to Diala, it would be a disservice, not only to the supporters and admirers of the former governor but, more importantly to the nation and Nigeria’s democracy at large.

Mallam Nasir El-rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and a major founding leader of the ongoing opposition coalition group in the country, has been called upon to rescind his decision not to contest any elective office in 2027 and instead throw his hat in the ring.

The frontline African Democratic Congress (ADC) leader while receiving a group of PDP youths who defected to the ADC under the leadership of former PDP youth leader Aliyu Bello in Kaduna, on Wednesday August 27, 2025, was reported to have said, “I am not contesting for anything; I don’t want to go to the Senate. I am not contesting for any position. That is why I am calling on you: let us join hands and ensure we remove the oppressors.”

However, in a swift reaction, while fielding questions from journalists who sought his opinion on the former governor’s comment, a staunch supporter and ally of the maverick Kaduna politician, Dr Uche Diala, knocked out the reported comment as unpopular.

According to Diala, it would be a disservice, not only to the supporters and admirers of the former governor but, more importantly to the nation and Nigeria’s democracy at large.

“Mallam is one of the most consequential politicians in Nigeria today who has the capacity, qualification and experience to make a real difference under our present realities. His not participating will not only dampen the spirits but would mean deliberately denying the nation the opportunity of benefitting from his immense wealth of experience’, he said.

Asked whether, being a close ally of the ADC national leader, he was surprised by his statement regarding not running for any office in 2027, he said that he was not entirely surprised because that is in sync with the character of the former Governor.

Diala said that, “Mallam is not one driven by ambition. In fairness to him, he has never mentioned in any of our conversations that he had any interest in running for any office in 2027. It has always been about building a credible coalition to offer Nigerians a different type of progressive leadership out of the current quagmire. As an ardent Muslim, he also believes that power comes from God alone. If the people want you and God endorses it, then it will happen.”

Continuing, Dr Diala said, “Nigerians will remember how Mallam became Governor of Kaduna state after pressure from late President Buhari and others, and today Kaduna state is better off for it in spite of any misgivings. Nigerians will equally remember how he had his plans all worked out, intent on leaving the country after his tenure as Governor in pursuit of his academic ambitions, in spite of his unmatchable contributions to the victory of the APC and the current President, only to be publicly pressured by the President to stay back to assist his administration. So, I was not really surprised that he said that and I believe that he means it. However, Mallam needs to understand that this is beyond him. Nigeria needs him now more than ever and he must be sensitive to that reality.”

When asked if his insistence that El-rufai should run means that he has no confidence in the other leaders in the coalition movement who have expressed a desire to run, he said that that is not the case. “There are other worthy and very qualified leaders in the ranks of the coalition. Calling on Mallam El-rufai to run is to further enrich the contest and to deepen the choices available to Nigerians. It is already agreed by the key actors that whoever emerges from a free and transparent primaries of the party, everyone else would support”, he said.

Asked what he intended to do next, he said that he and other like minds have been working underground, building bridges and sensitizing and mobilizing Nigerians across all spectrum, but with the statement by the former Governor which many people have latched on to, there is a need to be more open and vocal.

“The truth is that we have been engaging with Nigerians across tribal, regional, political and religious lines on the need to have someone with the pedigree and excellent track record like Mallam to be on the ticket in 2027 and Nigerians are buying that message. However, we have been doing so underground so as not to distract from the main goal of building a formidable coalition and the party ADC. Under the current circumstance, we intend to be more vocal and open about the call”, he said.

On whether he expects Mallam El-rufai to accede to their demands, he said he was positive. “It is not personal to me or any of my compatriots. Mallam needs to equally understand that this is not about him. It is about the future of our country. It is about taking the nation out of the unfortunate situation it found itself, by an administration which he equally contributed to bringing to power. He must realize that it is not just about building a coalition. He must also make himself available for service, and then leave the party members and Nigerians at large to decide. That is the least that he owes us his supporters, the coalition movement and the nation at large. I am positive that Mallam will listen to our plea”, he said.

When asked if he is insisting on Mallam Nasir El-rufai being the presidential candidate of the ADC in 2027, especially in view of the North – South power rotation debate, Diala said that that is not the focus of discussion for now.

“Even as I am not a fan of rotational presidency because it promotes mediocrity, I am sensitive to that conversation. However, that is not the issue in discourse for now. What is important is for Mallam to be open and available to run for the ticket. At the appropriate time and place, we shall have the conversation about head and tail of the ticket. I can also say that Mallam is not too arrogant or selfish to not consider and respect the sensibilities and opinions of others. However, when we get to that bridge, we will cross it. For now, all the effort will be geared towards getting Mallam to rescind his decision to sit 2027 out. Nigeria needs his likes today more than ever”, Diala said.

He concluded by revealing that like minds would be ramping up pressure in the coming days and weeks on the former Governor with a view to getting him to rescind his decision. “Mallam will hear from us and he will listen to us. It is not about him. It is about our dear nation. We shall spare no effort in making him rescind his unpopular decision”, he concluded.

The statement by the former Governor of Kaduna state that he was not interested in running for any office in 2027 has triggered massive reactions especially on social media, even though he had never said that he was running. However his closest and most ardent followers, associates and allies are having none of it.