By Andrew Haruna – The Bureau News
Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has delivered a scathing assessment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, declaring that the president has “no pathway to win” the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, El-Rufai, now a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, said his political calculations show President Tinubu will likely finish third in the race.
“Tinubu will be third in the 2027 election. I have done my maths and I can tell you Tinubu has no pathway to win. The worst case scenario is that there will not be any winner in the first ballot,” El-Rufai said.
He urged Nigerians to measure the government’s performance by reflecting on their own lives.
“Ask yourself, is your life better now under President Tinubu?” he challenged citizens.
Criticism of Tinubu’s Leadership
El-Rufai accused the Tinubu administration of lacking both vision and sincerity, claiming there is “no pretense of good intentions.” He argued that governments should be open to public assessment “within weeks, not years.”
On the issue of insecurity, he faulted the federal government for what he described as shallow victories:
“They tell us terrorists have been killed, yet the same elements are found in the streets,” he stated.
Political Shifts and Realignments
El-Rufai, once a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a vocal campaigner for Tinubu in 2023, has now aligned himself with opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
He also reflected on party loyalty and electoral dynamics, insisting that “it is the people, not governors, who decide who wins.”
“I was in APC yet I did not deliver my state. Bola Tinubu did not win his state,” he said pointedly.
No Interest in Ministerial Role
On personal ambition, El-Rufai dismissed speculation that he seeks a ministerial position, noting that he already served as a minister at 23.
Although he admitted he had been considered for the Minister of Energy role, he emphasized that he has “no need for the position” despite having a roadmap to transform the energy sector.
Skepticism Over One-Term Pledges
When asked about allies like Chibuike Amaechi and Peter Obi, who have spoken of serving only a single four-year term, El-Rufai expressed doubt.
“I want them to stop making this kind of commitment. Nobody believes them. Things change once they get in. It is even unfair,” he argued.
With the 2027 elections gradually shaping up, El-Rufai’s remarks underscore the growing political realignment ahead of a potentially fierce presidential contest.
