Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai says he wants a united opposition movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Monday, El-Rufai said he is not motivated by political ambition but by a single desire to correct what he called a “national tragedy” caused by the Bola Tinubu administration.
He admitted helping bring the current government to power and now, “Having contributed to bringing about this tragedy to Nigeria by supporting Bola Tinubu, I should contribute towards removing this evil,” he said.
Coalition Explores Two Political Paths Ahead of 2027
El-Rufai explained that he and other political figures—including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso—have been holding talks to form a strong coalition.
He confirmed that the group is exploring two strategies: adopting an existing political party or registering a new one. He observed that some leaders prefer forming a new party due to what he described as interference in existing opposition parties by the ruling APC.
“What the government has been doing is to create problems in opposition parties by financing viruses to multiply. This is what’s happening in Labour, PDP, and NNPP,” he stated.
He also revealed the tentative name for the proposed new party as the African Democratic Assembly (ADA). However, he pointed out that many coalition members see the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a stronger and more practical option.
“I strongly believe that the SDP is the best platform for the coalition. It has a history, it has a legacy, it has sentimental value. Everything about it is almost perfect,” he said.
Fears Over INEC’s Ability to Register New Parties
El-Rufai says he doubts the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that the current leadership might not allow the registration of any new party.
“Many of us do not believe that under the current leadership of INEC, a new party will be registered, because Mahmoud Yakubu is not Jega, and Tinubu is not Jonathan,” he said.
He argued that the ruling government could use INEC to frustrate credible opposition efforts, but the coalition has decided to try both approaches—working within existing parties and testing INEC’s openness to registering new ones.
Not a Merger but a Movement Led by Individuals
El-Rufai clarified that the coalition is not a merger of political parties but a collaboration among individuals who are willing to leave their parties and unite under one platform. He explained that he participates in the coalition as a private citizen, not as an official representative of the SDP.
“I’m there as an individual with some political weight, no matter how small, in my state or in the Northwest,” he said.
According to him, the goal is to form a single, inclusive movement capable of unseating the ruling APC. Discussions have not yet reached the point of choosing a consensus presidential candidate.
“First, you need a party. Every party has its constitution and rules. We are not even talking about that,” he said.
He also rejected the notion that every big name in the coalition has political ambition, insisting that the focus remains on rescuing Nigeria.
“Big names don’t equate ambitions. Everyone is saying we have a problem. Let’s come together, send them back home, and put this country back on track,” he said.
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