Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has voiced concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s willingness to register a new political party under its current leadership, casting doubt on the prospects of opposition unity efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Monday during an appearance on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, el-Rufai said opposition leaders remain sceptical that INEC, under Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, will grant approval for the registration of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), a new party recently applied for by a coalition led by el-Rufai and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
“Many of us do not believe that under the current leadership of INEC, a new party would be registered because Mahmood Yakubu is not Jega and President Tinubu is not Jonathan,” he said.
“Those were the people in charge when APC was registered.”
El-Rufai drew a historical contrast with the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013 under the leadership of former INEC chairman Attahiru Jega and then-President Goodluck Jonathan, suggesting that political conditions were more conducive to pluralism at that time.
Despite the ADA registration effort, the former governor maintained that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) remains the most viable option for the opposition, citing its legacy and symbolic strength.
“I strongly believe that SDP is the best platform for the coalition because it has a history, a legacy, sentimental value and everything about it is almost perfect. I am advocating for that amongst my colleagues,” he stated.
El-Rufai further lambasted the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu, describing it as the “worst in history” and citing a 91 percent disapproval rating.
“There is 91 percent disapproval of this administration. The worst in history, but Nigerians are looking for a credible option,” he said.
“They want to see people coming together, putting aside their differences and ambition to remove this failure of a government.”
On his personal motivations, el-Rufai stated that he harbours no political ambition but feels a moral obligation to oppose the government he once supported.
“I have no ambition; I just feel like having contributed to bringing about this tragedy to Nigeria by contributing to the emergence of Bola Tinubu as president, I should, in my last lap, contribute to removing this evil that I believe will destroy Nigeria if left unchecked,” he said.
When asked about his personal relationship with President Tinubu, el-Rufai revealed that the two were never politically close.
“Bola Tinubu never really liked me, but we never really got along. In the party, I was Buhari’s boy,” he said, adding that he had a better relationship with Bisi Akande, the former Osun State governor and APC stalwart.
“The person I got along with was Baba Akande.”
