2027: El-Rufai Rules Out Political Ambition, Says His Fight Is for Better Leadership
2027: El-Rufai Rules Out Political Ambition, Says His Fight Is for Better Leadership
KADUNA — Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has shut down speculation about a possible 2027 bid, declaring on Wednesday that he has no interest in contesting any political office.
Speaking in Kaduna while receiving a group of PDP youths who defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under the leadership of Aliyu Bello, El-Rufai said his re-entry into political conversations was not driven by ambition but by the need to “rescue Nigeria from failed leadership.”
“I Am Not Contesting for Anything”
El-Rufai, who has often been the subject of speculation about a Senate or presidential run, dismissed such talk outright.
“This is a government that does nothing but lie every day. Everyone’s conscience tells them the truth. I am not contesting for anything. I don’t want to go to the Senate. I am not contesting for any position. What we need is unity to remove the oppressors,” he said.
He revealed that after completing his tenure as Kaduna governor, his plan was to withdraw from active politics. But according to him, the current state of governance has made silence impossible.
Shifting Role: From Candidate to Mentor
The former governor stressed that his mission now is to support and mentor reform-minded Nigerians, especially youths and women, who are willing to step up and provide credible leadership.
“When I left office, I wanted to rest. But the way things have turned out, we cannot fold our arms. We must all play our part in ensuring better leadership. That is why I am back—not as a candidate, but to support those ready to serve Nigeria faithfully,” he explained.
Mobilising the Youth Vote
El-Rufai also turned his attention to voter registration, warning young Nigerians not to underestimate its power.
He noted glaring disparities across states, pointing out that while Lagos and Osun recorded at least 600,000 new voter registrations, Kaduna barely managed 60,000.
“If you are 18, go and register—even with your phone. That registration is your power, your right to choose who governs you,” he urged.
Defections as a Signal
Aliyu Bello, who led the group of PDP youths into the ADC fold, described the move as a deliberate step toward repositioning politics in Kaduna. He said the priority of his movement was to empower young people and reduce political thuggery, while stressing that they found inspiration in El-Rufai’s new mentorship-driven role.
With 2027 drawing closer, El-Rufai’s announcement draws a line under speculation about his candidacy. Instead, he casts himself as a political elder determined to shape the next generation of leaders, not compete with them.
By Haruna Yakubu Haruna
