Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that Nigeria’s emerging opposition coalition can defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections without the support of state governors.
El-Rufai affirmed that the coalition’s strength lies in mobilizing voters directly, rather than courting political officeholders, and that a governor has only one vote, while Nigerians have many more votes.The coalition, spearheaded by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), aims to offer Nigerians a real alternative to the current political landscape and is focused on building a platform rather than selecting candidates.
El-Rufai responded to the PDP governors’ rejection of coalition talks, clarifying that the coalition’s aim was never to merge with the PDP, which he described as a “spent force.”
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The coalition seeks to present Nigerians with a “genuine alternative” rather than rebranding existing crisis-prone parties, and El-Rufai emphasized that the goal is to build something fresh that will inspire hope.
El-Rufai disclosed that the SDP was selected as the coalition’s platform due to its pedigree, history, and likelihood of surviving deregistration by INEC.He stressed that the coalition will uphold internal democracy, learning from past mistakes, and aims to build a party that no one owns, where everyone has a voice.
El-Rufai stated that the focus is not on selecting a presidential candidate, but on building the platform first, and that aspirants are welcome but must set aside personal ambitions for now.He emphasized that Nigeria’s challenges transcend ethnic or regional interests, and that he no longer cares where the president comes from, but rather wants a candidate who can offer real solutions to Nigeria’s problems.
El-Rufai warned of a deepening national crisis, stating that Nigeria is facing an existential crisis that requires a candidate who can deliver survival, unity, and progress.
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