Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has openly expressed regret for his role in supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, admitting that he now feels partly responsible for Nigeria’s current challenges.
Speaking on Arise Television on Monday, June 23, the former governor claimed that he was instrumental in Tinubu’s emergence as president and acknowledged that this support has worsened the nation’s problems.
In his words:
“I just feel like I contributed to this country’s problems by bringing the evil Tinubu into power. I should do the last lap by removing Tinubu.”
El-Rufai further remarked that Nigerians have largely lost confidence in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to him, “91 percent of the people are now against the APC”, and Nigerians are actively seeking alternatives capable of uniting the country and delivering genuine progress.
Push for a New Political Movement
El-Rufai is now one of the prominent figures behind the coalition seeking to establish a new political party — the All Democratic Alliance (ADA). He explained that this movement is drawing members from various political and ideological backgrounds, including associates of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former ministers from ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
He emphasised that this initiative is not about partisanship but about building a broad-based coalition of “like-minded people” determined to rescue Nigeria.
“Our goal is not about party politics. We are simply committed to fixing the country,” El-Rufai stated.
He also indicated that the coalition may evolve into a single political party if necessary, adding that members are prepared to leave their existing groups to form a united front.
Aiming to Defeat APC in 2027
Drawing parallels with the political wave that led to the fall of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, El-Rufai said the current political climate is ripe for unseating the APC in the next general election.
He boldly declared that it would be “impossible” for President Tinubu to secure re-election in 2027, insisting that any belief otherwise is divorced from reality.
Despite Tinubu’s recent commissioning of projects in Kaduna — where he praised the incumbent governor for restoring peace to the state — El-Rufai remained firm in his criticism, warning that urban banditry and poor governance have worsened under the current administration.
Nasir El-Rufai’s comments reflect growing discontent within Nigeria’s political elite and signal the potential for major shifts ahead of the 2027 election cycle. Whether this coalition will gain traction remains to be seen, but the former governor has made his position clear: Nigeria needs new leadership — and fast.
