Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has officially announced that he will not be seeking any elective political office in the upcoming 2027 general elections. Speaking during a gathering in Kaduna with youth leaders and recent defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), El-Rufai emphasized his decision to step away from electoral ambitions and instead focus on mentoring and supporting reform-minded Nigerians.
“I am not contesting for anything; I don’t want to go to the Senate. I am not contesting for any position. That is why I am calling on you: let us join hands and ensure we remove the oppressors,” El-Rufai stated.
El-Rufai clarified that while his initial plan after leaving office was to retire from partisan politics, the current state of governance and national leadership compelled him to re-engage—not as a candidate, but as a catalyst for change.
“When I finished my tenure as governor of Kaduna, 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,” he added.
His renewed involvement will center on empowering youth, women, and progressive voices across Nigeria. He urged citizens, especially young people, to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise and actively participate in shaping the future of the country.
“Anyone who is 18 years old should go and register, even with your phone. Registration is what gives you the right to choose who governs you,” El-Rufai advised.
The event also featured remarks from Aliyu Bello, who led the PDP youth defectors to the ADC. Bello echoed El-Rufai’s commitment to political reform and emphasized the importance of youth empowerment and the rejection of political thuggery.