Nasir El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC and former governor of Kaduna State, has remained tight-lipped regarding his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s potential 2027 re-election bid. In an interview on Arise Television, he stated that he would only reveal his position after extensive consultations with his supporters.
El-Rufai who is known for his previous advocacy for a rotational presidency between the North and the South has refused to declare if he would support a Northern or Southern presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
El-Rufai criticises Tinubu’s Appointments
The Former Governor’s non-committal to a Tinubu candidacy in 2027, despite his past support stems from Northern concerns about the current administration’s appointments. He described the appointments as skewed and imbalanced, favoring individuals from the South-West geopolitical zone. He insisted, however, that this wasn’t necessarily intentional on Tinubu’s part.
Northern Displeasure and Policy Impact
El-Rufai noted that President Tinubu’s appointments, coupled with certain policy reforms, have generated discontent among Northern electorates. He believes that this perceived imbalance and the resulting hardship could jeopardize Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term in 2027. He placed the onus on President Tinubu to rectify these issues before the next election.
Conclusion
El-Rufai’s statements reveal a complex relationship between himself and President Tinubu. While he remains strategically tight-lipped on a direct endorsement, his criticisms of the current administration’s appointments and their potential impact on Northern voters hint at a potentially significant challenge to Tinubu’s 2027 ambitions. His call for President Tinubu to address the perceived imbalances suggests a potential pathway to securing El-Rufai’s future support, yet the overall tone indicates considerable uncertainty surrounding the President’s re-election prospects.
