Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has reversed his stance on Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, now recognizing him as “a great potential President or VP.”
Previously critical of Obi, Bashir admitted that his negative views were shaped by influences within his former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a post on X, he stated, “Peter Obi is surprisingly not a bad person after all. My views on him have changed recently. My mind was poisoned by my former party members.”
His change of heart comes amid major political shifts involving his father, Nasir El-Rufai, who recently resigned from the APC and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Explaining his defection, the former Kaduna governor cited a growing disconnect between his values and the APC’s current leadership. “Developments in the last two years confirm that those who currently control and run the APC do not desire to acknowledge, much less address, the party’s unhealthy situation,” he stated in a press release.
El-Rufai revealed that after extensive consultations with mentors, colleagues, and supporters, he decided to align with the SDP in preparation for the 2027 elections. His new focus is on uniting opposition leaders and parties to challenge the APC’s dominance.
His departure follows ongoing criticism of the APC’s leadership, particularly its failure to convene key meetings of the National Executive Council (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) throughout 2023.
El-Rufai’s recent meetings with former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola and Pastor Tunde Bakare in Lagos have further fueled speculation about his political ambitions for 2027. These developments suggest a potential realignment of political forces as Nigeria approaches the next election cycle.
