El-Rufai: Ribadu Seeks To Eliminate Potential Northern Rivals In Bid For 2031 Presidency

*Expresses Desire For Southern Nigerian President To Succeed Tinubu’s Tenure
Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, has intensified his criticism of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and accused key figures of plotting against him.
In a revealing interview on Arise News Channel’s PrimeTime show, El-Rufai spoke candidly about his exclusion from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, his political future, and his strained relationships within the party. He also made serious allegations against Nuhu Ribadu and Uba Sani, accusing them of working to destroy his reputation and eliminate northern contenders who could challenge their ambitions.
During the interview, El-Rufai expressed his desire for a southern Nigerian to succeed President Tinubu in the 2027 elections. He emphasized his uncertainty about remaining in the APC by then, advocating for a southern leader to promote national unity and fairness.
In a sharp criticism of his former allies, El-Rufai accused Nuhu Ribadu of collaborating with Uba Sani to undermine his political career. He alleged that the duo was actively working to tarnish his reputation and remove northern political figures who could challenge Ribadu’s presidential ambitions for 2031.
“Nuhu Ribadu is working with Uba Sani to destroy my reputation,” El-Rufai said. “They are working to remove Northerners who they feel can stop his 2031 presidential ambition… and they have been failing… this time I will start fighting back.” El-Rufai’s comments reveal deepening political tensions within the APC, particularly among northern politicians with aspirations for future leadership.
On the subject of his exclusion from President Tinubu’s cabinet, El-Rufai was blunt in stating that the National Assembly had nothing to do with his rejection. He emphasized that it was a decision made by President Tinubu, who changed his mind after initially assuring him of a ministerial nomination.
El-Rufai dismissed the claims of security concerns that allegedly led to his exclusion, challenging the basis of these concerns and claiming that there was no official report against him. He also critiqued the inactivity of the APC’s leadership since Tinubu assumed office, noting that party organs have not been functioning as they should.
Amid speculations about his potential defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), El-Rufai rejected the idea, reaffirming that he had no intention of joining the opposition party. He clarified that his interactions with politicians from other parties were simply friendly meetings and not a sign of any political shift. “PDP is not a party that I will go to, ever,” he said, further stressing that if the APC fails to address its internal issues, he might consider other options, but the PDP is not one of them.
El-Rufai also took the opportunity to defend his integrity, dismissing any rumors or accusations of corruption. “I have never taken a dime that’s not mine,” he declared. His remarks aimed to silence critics who might seek to tarnish his reputation with allegations of financial misconduct.
In conclusion, El-Rufai signaled that his future in the APC would depend on the party’s ability to return to its founding principles of internal democracy and progressive ideals. He stated that while he was not considering joining the PDP, his continued involvement with the APC would be contingent on whether the party could reform itself and address its internal challenges.
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