Why APC Governors Can Do Nothing About El-Rufai’s Ordeal – Sule

El-Rufai was a key northern powerbroker who advocated for the APC presidential ticket for the 2023 general elections to be given to a southern candidate. This stance was in line with the unwritten power rotation principle between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions, following the completion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure from the North-West.

Serving as Kaduna’s governor from May 2015 to May 2023, El-Rufai was an outspoken supporter of Bola Tinubu, the former Lagos governor, as the APC’s presidential candidate. Alongside other northern political figures, El-Rufai backed Tinubu against two other prominent northern aspirants—then Senate President Ahmad Lawan and former Jigawa governor, Mohammed Badaru.

Tinubu ultimately secured the APC ticket and won the presidency in the February 2023 elections. In a typical case of political reward, Tinubu nominated El-Rufai for a ministerial position three months after his inauguration.

However, El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination was rejected by the Senate during the screening process, citing security concerns from the Department of State Services.

Since his rejection in August 2023, El-Rufai has distanced himself from APC gatherings and has been notably absent from the Aso Villa or any interactions with President Tinubu, whom he actively campaigned for.

Meanwhile, rumors of his potential defection have gained traction, especially after he was spotted with leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), though he has denied any such plans. His relationship with his successor, Governor Sani Uba of Kaduna, has