Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that he will not vie for any elective position in the 2027 general elections, stressing that his renewed political involvement is purely to support credible leadership at both state and national levels.
El-Rufai made this known in Kaduna while receiving a delegation of youths who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), under the leadership of Aliyu Bello.
Taking a swipe at President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the former governor accused the government of failing Nigerians.
“This is a government that does nothing but lie every day. Everyone’s conscience tells them the truth. I am not contesting for anything. I don’t want to go to the Senate. I am not contesting for any position. That is why I am calling on you: let us join hands and ensure we remove the oppressors,” El-Rufai said.
The former governor explained that his initial plan after leaving office in 2023 was to step back from partisan politics.
However, recent national developments, he said, compelled him to return — not out of personal ambition but out of concern for Nigeria’s future.
“When I finished my tenure as governor of Kaduna, I intended to rest. But given the way things have turned out, I believe we must play our part to bring about better leadership. That is why we are back in politics,” he added.
El-Rufai emphasized that his political mission going forward is to mentor young people, empower women, and support reform-minded Nigerians to take greater ownership of the political process.
He also charged Nigerian youths to take the ongoing voter registration exercise seriously.
“In Lagos and Osun, at least 600,000 people registered. But in Kaduna, only 60,000. Anyone who is 18 years old should go and register, even with your phone. Registration is what gives you the right to choose who governs you,” he advised.
He further urged citizens to remain vigilant and actively safeguard the integrity of the electoral process ahead of 2027.
Aliyu Bello, who led the group of PDP youths that defected to the ADC, said their priority is to empower young Nigerians and discourage political thuggery.
According to him, politics should be about service and integrity rather than violence and personal gain.