El-Rufai Declares Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election Bid Doomed, Cites Widespread Disapproval.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has delivered a scathing assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s prospects for re-election in 2027, declaring that the incumbent has “no pathway to victory” and would be “lucky to come third.” Speaking on Arise TV’s PrimeTime programme on Monday evening, El-Rufai, now a chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), cited widespread public dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s administration as a key factor in his bold prediction.
El-Rufai, who played a pivotal role in Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign, expressed regret for his support, admitting he was aware of controversies surrounding Tinubu’s background but believed his record as Lagos State Governor would translate to national success. “I was aware of the doubts over his name, parentage, and education, but I thought every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future,” he said. However, he now views Tinubu’s tenure as a “disaster,” particularly in the areas of security, economy, and trade, claiming the President has lost public trust.
A scientific opinion poll cited by El-Rufai revealed a 91% disapproval rating for Tinubu in the North and South-East, and 78% in Lagos, with no state recording less than 50% disapproval. “The guy is gone. He has performed miserably,” El-Rufai stated, dismissing claims that recent defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) guarantee Tinubu’s re-election. He described defectors as “greedy and hungry politicians” seeking personal gain, asserting that the 2027 election will be a contest between the APC and the Nigerian people.
El-Rufai, alongside opposition heavyweights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and Labour Party’s 2023 candidate Peter Obi, is spearheading a coalition to unseat Tinubu through the ballot. While the coalition has applied to register the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), El-Rufai endorsed the SDP as a potential platform, urging Nigerians to consider alternatives unless their lives have improved since Tinubu’s inauguration on 29 May 2023.
Reflecting on his role in Tinubu’s rise, El-Rufai expressed remorse, stating, “I feel I contributed to this country’s problems by bringing the evil Tinubu into power. I should do the last lap by removing him.” He drew parallels to the 2015 ousting of Goodluck Jonathan, suggesting a unified opposition could replicate that success. However, he admitted his track record in backing presidents—having supported Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu—is poor, urging Nigerians to judge candidates based on their own circumstances.
The Tinubu administration, however, remains optimistic. The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, recently highlighted economic progress, including over 900,000 beneficiaries of a presidential loan scheme and cleared foreign exchange debts exceeding $10 billion. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has also declared Tinubu the APC’s sole candidate for 2027. Meanwhile, the Itsekiri Nation in Delta State has pledged full support for Tinubu’s re-election, showcasing a divided political landscape.
El-Rufai’s remarks have sparked debate, with public affairs analyst Usman Okai Austin arguing that Nigerians, not El-Rufai, should decide Tinubu’s fate. As the 2027 election approaches, the opposition’s coalition efforts and Tinubu’s governance record will shape a fiercely contested political battle.