Former Ally Turns Fierce Critic: El-Rufai Sounds the Alarm

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has launched his strongest attack yet against the Bola Tinubu-led administration, warning that the current government’s “incompetence and clannishness” could destroy Nigeria if given another term in 2027.

El-Rufai, who once served as a staunch ally and campaigner for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, made these damning remarks on Saturday during a political tour in Sokoto State.

“If we allow this APC government another term, what remains of Nigeria’s social fabric may be destroyed. This is the fight of our lives,” El-Rufai told a gathering of supporters and stakeholders.

A Shocking U-Turn from APC’s Founding Member

El-Rufai’s comments mark a dramatic political reversal, considering his pivotal role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his tireless campaigning for Tinubu’s presidency just two years ago.

Now, the former governor says the very administration he helped bring to power is steering Nigeria toward collapse.

“The APC government is incompetent and clannish. It has failed to address the many challenges facing our country. We cannot allow them to continue in power; it’s time for a change.”

El-Rufai’s use of the word “clannish” underscores his growing concern about what he describes as ethnically skewed appointments, exclusionary politics, and lack of national unity under the Tinubu presidency.

Personal Fallout or Public Duty?

Critics might be tempted to attribute El-Rufai’s outburst to personal grievances. In 2023, after Tinubu’s victory, El-Rufai was nominated for a ministerial position, but his appointment was blocked by the Senate amid security clearance issues.

According to inside sources, El-Rufai blames Tinubu directly for sabotaging his return to national office — a betrayal he has not forgotten.

Still, El-Rufai insists his current stance is not about personal loss but public duty.

“I didn’t get into politics to enrich myself but to serve. And when a government ceases to serve the people, it is my duty as a senior citizen to not only speak out but take action to reverse the situation.”

Backing the Opposition: A New Coalition Against APC

In Sokoto, El-Rufai threw his weight behind the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition, which has recently emerged as a third-force alliance of opposition leaders — including Atiku Abubakar, Babachir Lawal, and Rabiu Kwankwaso — seeking to wrest power from the APC in 2027.

He urged Nigerians at the grassroots to rally behind the ADC alliance, describing the 2027 election as “the fight for Nigeria’s soul.”

Political observers say this move is significant, given El-Rufai’s former influence within the APC and his network across northern Nigeria.

“This is no longer about party lines or past alliances,” said a Sokoto-based analyst. “It’s about who can rescue Nigeria from economic collapse, ethnic division, and rising insecurity.”

Tinubu’s Government Under Fire

El-Rufai’s criticism adds to the growing list of disillusioned voices from the North, where many feel the Tinubu administration has under-delivered on promises.

Issues like:

• Rising poverty and hunger

• Insecurity in Northern states

• Fuel subsidy removal without social buffers

• Low job creation and inflation

have pushed many former allies to the opposition side, creating a volatile political atmosphere ahead of 2027.

Conclusion: Is 2027 the End of APC Rule?

El-Rufai’s explosive statements may be just the beginning of a larger revolt within APC’s northern base — a region that largely delivered the numbers for Tinubu’s 2023 victory.

Whether Nigerians view his new stance as genuine patriotism or political revenge, one thing is clear: El-Rufai has joined the growing coalition determined to end APC’s reign.

With his voice, networks, and record of mobilization, the 2027 elections may shape up to be one of Nigeria’s most contested and consequential yet.