Amid growing rumours about former Kaduna State governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai’s political allegiance, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, has dismissed claims that El-Rufai has abandoned the ruling party.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday, Jamoh addressed speculation linking the ex-governor to opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. He acknowledged that El-Rufai recently mentioned the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) but stressed that no official departure from the APC has occurred.
“As far as I’m concerned, this is my opinion — Malam Nasir El-Rufai is still with us,” Jamoh said. “Yes, he mentioned his membership of the SDP. Yes, he mentioned the ADC. But we are yet to get to the point of bidding him farewell. He’s someone we still consult for expertise, knowledge, and advice.”
He described El-Rufai as a “political institution” whose eight-year leadership of Kaduna State and long-standing influence within the APC could not be dismissed.
“You cannot disown your child of eight years,” Jamoh said. “He served as Minister under the PDP, joined the CPC, which merged into APC, and governed this state for eight years. He’s part of our political history.”
While conceding that El-Rufai has the right to take personal political decisions, Jamoh said the APC in Kaduna would always keep its doors open to him. He also downplayed the strength of the ADC in the state, describing it as still struggling to build a formidable structure.
On fears that El-Rufai might strengthen the opposition if he aligns with another party, Jamoh insisted the APC remained too strong to be toppled in Kaduna.
“Nasir El-Rufai cannot contest for governor again — that chapter is closed,” he said. “The question is whether ADC or any opposition can defeat the APC here. My answer is no. APC is too heavy for any party in Kaduna.”
Jamoh acknowledged internal party challenges but maintained that the APC remains the state’s dominant political force, urging supporters not to be swayed by political propaganda.
“Don’t throw away what you have because you think the opposition can beat APC. Remember where you invested; one day, you will reap the benefit,” he added.
