A fresh political storm is brewing ahead of the 2027 general elections as one of Nigeria’s most outspoken political allies of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has openly challenged him to rescind his shocking decision not to contest for any elective office.
The former governor, a frontline leader in the opposition coalition movement and a key figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stunned his supporters on Wednesday in Kaduna when he publicly declared that he was not interested in contesting for Senate, Presidency, or any political office come 2027.
El-Rufai, who made the statement while receiving a group of PDP youths defecting to the ADC under the leadership of the party’s former youth leader, Aliyu Bello, declared with finality:
> “I am not contesting for anything; I don’t want to go to the Senate. I am not contesting for any position. That is why I am calling on you: let us join hands and ensure we remove the oppressors.”
The declaration, which many political watchers have described as “a bombshell,” immediately sent ripples across Nigeria’s political space, especially among his ardent followers who have long believed that El-Rufai would play a decisive role in 2027.
In a swift and passionate reaction, however, a staunch ally of the former governor, Dr. Uche Diala, fired back with a strong message to El-Rufai and his supporters. Speaking to journalists who pressed for his reaction, Diala minced no words in describing El-Rufai’s decision as not only unpopular but also a “disservice” to the nation at large.
According to him:
> “Mallam is one of the most consequential politicians in Nigeria today who has the capacity, qualification and experience to make a real difference under our present realities. His not participating will not only dampen the spirits but would mean deliberately denying the nation the opportunity of benefitting from his immense wealth of experience.”
Diala emphasized that El-Rufai’s character has always been one of service rather than blind ambition. He recalled how the late President Muhammadu Buhari personally persuaded him to run for Governor of Kaduna State, and how El-Rufai reluctantly yielded to pressure from the current President to stay back and support his administration after his tenure.
But this time, Diala insisted, El-Rufai has no choice but to reconsider:
> “Mallam needs to understand that this is beyond him. Nigeria needs him now more than ever, and he must be sensitive to that reality.”
While clarifying that his call does not seek to undermine other leaders within the growing coalition movement, Diala argued that El-Rufai’s presence in the race would only enrich the contest, broaden democratic options, and give Nigerians a formidable alternative in 2027.
He went further to disclose that he and other like-minded allies have been working silently to mobilize Nigerians across political, ethnic, and religious divides in preparation for the 2027 showdown. But with El-Rufai’s shock announcement, they would now step up their efforts openly and vigorously.
Addressing the contentious issue of rotational presidency, Diala remarked:
> “Even as I am not a fan of rotational presidency because it promotes mediocrity, I am sensitive to that conversation. However, that is not the issue now. What is important is for Mallam to be open and available to run for the ticket.”
Promising an intensified campaign of persuasion, Diala concluded with a bold declaration:
> “Mallam will hear from us and he will listen to us. It is not about him. It is about our dear nation. We shall spare no effort in making him rescind his unpopular decision.”
Already, El-Rufai’s decision not to run has triggered heated debates across social media platforms, where his supporters are expressing shock, disappointment, and in some cases, outright rejection of his stance. While the former governor has never explicitly declared an intention to run, the pressure mounted on him by his allies is fast turning into a full-scale political movement.
Observers say the unfolding drama could mark the beginning of a long battle to draft El-Rufai back into active contention. With growing discontent in the country and Nigerians eagerly searching for credible alternatives, El-Rufai’s eventual decision—whether to stand firm or yield to pressure—may become one of the most defining political stories ahead of 2027.
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