By Muhammad Mamman
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has firmly ruled out contesting for any political office in the 2027 elections, declaring that his return to the political arena is not for personal ambition but to rally behind credible leadership across Nigeria.
Speaking in Kaduna on Wednesday while receiving a group of PDP youths who defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under the leadership of Aliyu Bello, El-Rufai launched a blistering attack on the current administration, accusing it of deception and failure.
“This is a government that lies every single day. Nigerians do not need anyone to explain its failures—our conscience tells us the truth. I am not seeking the Senate, nor any office. My mission is simple: let us unite and sweep away the oppressors,” El-Rufai charged.
He revealed that after completing his tenure, his plan had been to retire from partisan politics. However, recent events, he said, forced him back—this time not as a contender, but as a mentor and supporter.
“When I left office, my goal was to rest. But given the direction the country is heading, we cannot stay silent. I have returned, not to chase positions, but to help nurture better leadership,” he stated.
The former governor stressed that his priority now is to empower young people, women, and reform-driven Nigerians to take ownership of the nation’s future. He urged citizens, especially the youth, to seize the ongoing voter registration exercise as a weapon for change.
“In Lagos and Osun, at least 600,000 people registered, yet Kaduna has barely 60,000. Every 18-year-old should register—even with your phone. That card is your power, your right to choose who governs you,” he urged.
El-Rufai also warned Nigerians against complacency, calling for vigilance to protect the integrity of future elections.
In his remarks, Aliyu Bello, who led the defecting PDP youths into the ADC, said his mission was to inspire young people and end the culture of political thuggery.
