Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has firmly stated that he has no intention of running for any political office in the 2027 general elections. According to him, his renewed involvement in politics is not driven by personal ambition but rather by a desire to support and promote capable and trustworthy leadership across Nigeria, both at the state and national levels.
Speaking in Kaduna while receiving a delegation of youths who had defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), under the leadership of Aliyu Bello, El-Rufai expressed strong criticism of the current government. He described the administration as one that frequently misleads the public, asserting that Nigerians do not need anyone to point out the failings of the government, as these are evident to all. He emphasized that he is not interested in holding any political office, including a Senate seat, and instead called on citizens to unite in the effort to remove what he described as oppressive leadership.
El-Rufai noted that after completing his term as governor, his initial plan was to withdraw from active politics and enjoy a period of rest. However, due to the alarming state of governance in the country, he felt compelled to re-engage in the political arena—not to pursue power for himself, but to contribute to the emergence of better leadership. His current mission, he explained, is to guide and support a new generation of leaders—especially young people, women, and individuals with reformist ideals.
He encouraged young Nigerians to actively participate in the democratic process by registering to vote, stressing the importance of voter registration as a fundamental right that empowers citizens to determine their leaders. He cited low voter registration numbers in Kaduna compared to other states and urged eligible citizens to take action, even using their mobile phones to register if possible. El-Rufai concluded by warning against political apathy and urged continued vigilance to protect the integrity of elections.
Meanwhile, Aliyu Bello, who led the group of PDP youth defectors, reiterated his commitment to empowering young people and discouraging violence in politics, emphasizing the need for constructive participation in democratic processes.