Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, met with ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and Pastor Tunde Bakare in Lagos on Sunday, sparking fresh political speculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Photographs of El-Rufai alongside Aregbesola and Bakare quickly gained traction on social media, fueling discussions on the nature of their meeting. While details of their discussions remain undisclosed, analysts suggest the meetings are part of the former governor’s broader political realignments.
Political Undercurrents and 2027 Ambitions
El-Rufai, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has recently been vocal in his criticisms of the ruling party and President Bola Tinubu. He notably blamed Tinubu for his rejection by the National Assembly during the ministerial screening process.
His latest visits come amid reports of growing discord within the APC. Aregbesola, once a staunch Tinubu ally, recently severed ties with the party in Osun State. Bakare, who contested the APC presidential ticket against Tinubu in 2023, has also been critical of the current administration.
Strategic Moves and Opposition Links
El-Rufai’s increasing engagement with opposition figures, including 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has raised eyebrows. His visit to Aregbesola and Bakare follows a recent trip to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, reinforcing speculations of a strategic political shift.
Confirming the Lagos meetings, El-Rufai’s media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, tweeted on Sunday:
Malam Nasir @elrufai was in Lagos today to visit Ogbeni @raufaregbesola and Pastor Tunde Bakare.
APC’s Response and El-Rufai’s Next Moves
The APC leadership appears indifferent to El-Rufai’s activities. When reached for comment, National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru dismissed concerns over the former governor’s movements, stating:
“We don’t have any comment. Anybody who wants to worry about his movements is free. So far he is a Nigerian, El-Rufai is free to visit anybody he likes. We have more serious work to do than to comment on anybody roaming around.”
Similarly, APC’s National Deputy Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, downplayed the significance of the meetings, emphasizing that El-Rufai, like any politician, has the right to associate freely.
“He once visited Aregbesola when he was governor, but at the end of the day, he returned and supported Mr. President. There is no restriction on political association. If something significant comes out of these visits, we can then analyze it,” Duru added.
El-Rufai’s Future in APC Uncertain
In a recent Arise Television interview, El-Rufai hinted at a possible exit from the APC, lamenting that the party had already abandoned him. When asked about supporting Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, he dodged the question, stating that he was unsure if he would still be in the party by then.
His criticisms of Tinubu’s administration and reported anti-party activities have made him a subject of scrutiny within the APC. At the last National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, questioned El-Rufai’s true intentions.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, El-Rufai’s political trajectory remains a topic of national discourse. His recent engagements suggest a recalibration of alliances, potentially shaping Nigeria’s political landscape in the coming years.
