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2027: WHY EL-RUFAI PREFERS PETER OBI
The race for the 2027 general election has officially begun, with various groups mobilizing and realigning across the major political parties. Recently, former Kaduna Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In his resignation from the APC, El-Rufai stated that the party had deviated from its founding principles and had become intolerant of internal democracy. He accused the leadership of sidelining members and failing to fulfil the promises that brought them to power. El-Rufai also hinted at plans to engage with other opposition figures to build a stronger coalition ahead of future elections.
However, City People’s findings suggest that El-Rufai’s entry into the SDP has not been warmly welcomed. Some SDP leaders feel his presence could destabilize the party’s operations. An SDP chieftain based in Akure expressed scepticism, arguing that El-Rufai joined the party for personal reasons rather than for the nation’s benefit. He stated, “El-Rufai joined the party (SDP) for selfish interests. He feels that his chances in APC were limited and that he had completely sidelined. He hopes to be chosen for the role of vice president in the next election, which is unlikely to happen in the APC.”
El-Rufai has also identified himself as a strong advocate for a Southern candidate after 8 years under former President Muhammadu Buhari, believing that the north has had its time and that the next eight years should be given to the south. Recently, while speaking on Arise News Channel’s Prime Time show, he indicated a preference for a southern candidate to replace President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 electoral cycle.
Currently, there have been ongoing talks between El-Rufai and other political leaders, such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Although El-Rufai has emphasized his support for a Southern candidate, it remains uncertain whether these discussions will yield tangible results.
Reports have also suggested that Obi might be considering joining the SDP. El-Rufai’s son, Bashir El-Rufai, fueled speculation by hinting that Obi could come to the SDP in response to a post on X. A user claimed that the SDP would struggle against the APC without Obi, to which Bashir replied, “He is coming.”
To strengthen the SDP and attract figures like Peter Obi, El-Rufai is working to bring some discontented APC chieftains—such as Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the Federation, and Abdullahi Adamu, former national chairman of the APC—into the SDP in the coming months.
El-Rufai’s swift departure from the APC seems aimed at solidifying his chances to run alongside Obi, who is reportedly considering a move from the Labour Party to the SDP. Currently, El-Rufai holds the position of national leader in the SDP and feels in control of the party. A statement from the SDP leadership praised El-Rufai’s extensive political experience and reformist approach, stating: “Mallam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai brings decades of leadership, governance expertise, and strategic thinking. His appointment as national leader strengthens the SDP’s mission to offer Nigerians a credible alternative.”
The central question many Nigerians are asking is: Will Peter Obi leave the Labour Party for the Social Democratic Party? Analysts believe that the supporters of Peter Obi, known as the “Obidients,” are not attached to any political party but rather to Obi himself.
A few months ago, while addressing his supporters; he made it known about the current crisis within the Labour Party, Obi stated that he could leave the party for another if the situation did not improve. He made this point during an engagement with his supporters on his verified X account. The former Anambra State Governor emphasized that his primary focus—and the focus of committed members of the Obedient Movement—is to make Nigeria work for all citizens. He asserted that the current issues within the Labour Party are part of a distracting strategy that neither he nor his supporters are willing to succumb to. Obi stated, “Our engagement is about Nigeria; they are trying to change our focus. What we want to achieve is not about the Labour Party; it is about what the Obidients want to accomplish.”
