By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Immediate past Governor of Kaduna state, North-West Nigeria, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, has strongly denied reports which claimed that that he is set to join the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), ahead of 2027.
El Rufai was Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the PDP administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The former governor, who rebutted claims of his impending return to PDP, in a statement shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, described the reports as “patent lies and rumors.”
He warned the public to disregard the reports as fake news, declaring that he has referred the matter to his lawyers for further action against those peddling such information.
A founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), El Rufai has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, having served as governor from 2015 to 2023 –two terms of eight years.
His denial of joining the PDP puts to rest speculations about his potential defection to the opposition,though he is widely perceived to be in the frontline of some APC politicians who do not want another term of office in 2027 for incumbent President Bola Tinubu,who is in the second year of his first term even as reports said they are moving to ally with opposition political heavyweights to ensure this.
The former governor has been known for his strong views on politics and governance.
