Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially confirmed the formation of a coalition involving prominent political figures in Nigeria. He made the announcement during a recent interview with a Nigerian press outlet, shedding light on the meeting held in Abuja this week.
During the discourse, El-Rufai explicitly remarked that President Bola Tinubu should prepare to return to Lagos State, suggesting a shift in the political landscape as the coalition gains momentum. He emphasized the importance of retaining Bosun Tijani, the current Minister, whom he praised for his effective performance in office. El-Rufai stated, “Though we will still keep Bosun Tijani, we will still keep the minister because he is doing good work.”
This coalition is comprised of notable leaders in Nigerian politics: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. Reports indicate that the trio has selected the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their official party platform for opposition against the current administration. According to an insider privy to their discussions, the decision to adopt the ADC was reached after a late-night meeting that extended into the early hours of Wednesday.
“They have adopted the African Democratic Party as the coalition party; all of them (Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai) are working together. They came to the conclusion last night up till the early hours of this morning,” the source revealed.
El-Rufai also took the opportunity to address attendees at the Arewa TechFest in Katsina, highlighting the coalition’s strategic objectives. “Yesterday at 8 PM, there was a very important meeting of the coalition we’re putting together to ensure that President Tinubu goes back to Lagos,” he stated, reinforcing his commitment to effecting a significant political transformation in Nigeria.
As the 2027 elections approach, the formation of this coalition marks a pivotal moment in Nigerian politics, potentially altering the future trajectory of the nation’s governance.