Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, recently made headlines with his visit to former military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, at his residence in Abuja. This visit occurred on Tuesday, drawing attention due to its timing, shortly after El-Rufai’s engagement with leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the second time.
El-Rufai’s continued interactions with figures across different political spectrums, including his recent meetings with SDP leaders, have sparked widespread speculation regarding his political future. Notably, his visit to Senator Abubakar Gada’s Abuja residence, which included SDP chairman Shehu Musa Gabam among other party leaders, has intensified rumors that he might be considering leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former governor’s meetings have been varied and significant. Also reported to have been in attendance at the meeting at Senator Gada’s home were prominent figures such as Senator Teslim Folarin, the APC gubernatorial candidate for Oyo State in the 2023 general elections, and Senator Nazif Suleiman, a notable member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Bauchi State.
El-Rufai’s recent activities also included hosting a Ramadan iftar at his Abuja residence, attended by notable individuals including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, further highlighting the broad range of his political engagements.
In addition to his political meetings, El-Rufai’s visit to the SDP secretariat, where he met with Shehu Musa Gabam, underscores the complexity of his current political navigations and the potential implications for his political allegiance.
As these developments unfold, observers are keenly watching El-Rufai’s moves for any official announcements or further clues regarding his political intentions and future within the Nigerian political landscape.