2027 Elections: El-Rufai Invites Atiku, Obi, Aregbesola to Join SDP

Ahead of the 2027 elections, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has urged political heavyweights Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rauf Aregbesola to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Could this reshape Nigeria’s political landscape?

Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, has rejected the notion of a potential future merger and encouraged individuals such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and others to become part of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

This came after he resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) on March 10, citing a conflict of values with the ruling party.

In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, El-Rufai urged politicians to align with the SDP in order to challenge and defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

On Friday, the Presidency stated that Tinubu is currently focusing on enhancing the economic conditions of all Nigerians, rather than concerning himself with the 2027 general election.

In a statement posted on X this Friday, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday, remarked that “President Tinubu is not concerned about the next election. His focus is on bringing shared prosperity to Nigerians.”

He is anxious about whether the reforms he has implemented will have the desired impact. His main concern is the future state of this country’s economy. That’s his focus. “We’ve observed an increase in our foreign reserves, a decrease in inflation, and a rise in our trade surplus.”

We’ve observed an increase in exports and a decrease in imports.

We’ve observed the influx of investments, totaling over 50 billion. Additionally, we’re witnessing a decline in prices.

We have solid data, and your President is clearly in control, consistently following through on the decisions he has made.

I believe that the upcoming election is not currently his main focus.

Here’s how he can ensure that by the end of his first term, he’ll be able to say confidently: “I have made a positive impact on Nigerians’ lives and revitalized the economy.”

During the interview with the BBC, El-Rufai urged Obi, Abubakar, and Aregbesola to join forces in a political alliance with him for the 2027 elections.

He expressed his hope and prayers for Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf, along with all opposition leaders to join the SDP instead of forming a merger or registering a new political party.

“What troubles me is that despite our support and confidence in the government, believing it would perform well based on what Tinubu achieved in Lagos despite his challenges,” he remarked.

“Although we were aware of his challenges in Chicago, we believed that if he could replicate the success he had achieved in Lagos for Nigeria, it would be worth supporting him. Unfortunately, he did not succeed.”

El-Rufai explained that his aspirations for the presidency in 2027 would be influenced by both the party’s stance and the will of the people.

“I am not the one who makes these decisions; it’s up to the party and the people. When I ran for governor, it was actually others who spoke with Muhammadu Buhari and persuaded him, which led to him inviting me to run,” he explained.