Garba Mohammed
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has left many in shock after his latest declaration.
El-Rufai ruled out contesting any political office in the 2027 general elections, saying his renewed involvement in politics is not driven by personal ambition but by a commitment to supporting credible leadership.
He made this known in Kaduna on Wednesday while receiving defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory explained that after leaving office in 2023, his initial plan was to retire from partisan politics. However, unfolding national developments, he said, compelled him to return in order to help groom and mentor the next generation of leaders.
“I am not contesting for anything. I don’t want to go to the Senate. I am not seeking any position.
When I finished my tenure as governor, 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,” El-Rufai said.
He stressed that his focus now is on mentoring young people, women, and reform-minded Nigerians to play active roles in governance, rather than seeking elective office for himself.
El-Rufai also urged young Nigerians, particularly in Kaduna, to seize the opportunity of the ongoing voter registration exercise, describing their participation as critical to reshaping the country’s political future.
His declaration comes amid growing speculation about his potential role in the build-up to 2027, especially following recent alignments within opposition parties and debates on zoning and succession.