Former Kaduna State Governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that the party will not zone its presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that all aspirants will be given a fair and equal opportunity through open and credible primaries.
El-Rufai made this known during an interview on Trust TV’s 30 Minutes, where he spoke extensively on the opposition party’s preparations for 2027, internal strategy, electoral reforms, and his views on the current administration.
According to him, the ADC has resolved to reject zoning, consensus candidacy, or any form of coercion in the selection of its presidential flagbearer.
“We will not have zoning. We will not force anyone to step down. Everyone will be given the opportunity to contest, and whoever wins will be supported by all,” he said.
Responding to concerns that the ADC appears muted despite growing public dissatisfaction with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai said the party is deliberately organising away from media noise, focusing instead on grassroots mobilisation.
He explained that unlike the APC in 2014, the ADC is a coalition of individuals rather than parties, which requires more time to stabilise.
“A lot of background work is being done. Grassroots mobilisation is ongoing at polling unit and ward levels. It may not be loud, but it is effective,” he said, adding that internal polls show the ADC is increasingly seen as a preferred alternative by Nigerians.
He disclosed that membership registration has commenced, while conventions will soon be held to elect new party leadership and fully unveil the party’s structure ahead of 2027.
El-Rufai was unsparing in his criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of incompetence, cronyism, and tribalism.
He argued that the ruling party is losing touch with the electorate, claiming many APC lawmakers can no longer safely visit their constituencies due to public anger over governance failures.
“The anger is real. Nigerians are asking questions. We are mobilising people to demand accountability, not violence,” he said.
He also dismissed the idea that governors’ defections to the APC would guarantee electoral victory, noting that governors control resources but only have one vote each.
“Power comes from God and the people, not from incumbency. In 2027, Nigerians will decide,” he added.
Clarifying his relationship with President Tinubu, El-Rufai said they were never personal allies, stressing that his support for Tinubu in 2023 was based on party loyalty and the principle of power rotation to the South, not friendship.
“Our philosophies of governance are fundamentally different. Public office should be about service, not self-enrichment,” he said.
On his relationship with his successor, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, El-Rufai dismissed claims of godfatherism, stating bluntly that they no longer have any relationship.
“I don’t believe in godfatherism. When I finish my job, I move on. I have not called Governor Uba Sani since I left office,” he said.
El-Rufai also weighed in on the controversy surrounding the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act, strongly backing the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units.
He accused the ruling party of opposing the provision out of fear of losing elections, arguing that rigging largely occurs at collation centres.
“The only way to protect the vote is real-time transmission from polling units,” he said.
He however expressed confidence that the National Assembly’s conference committee would restore the provision.
He further stated that even if President Tinubu withholds assent, the National Assembly may be compelled by public pressure to override a presidential veto.
“This is about the survival of democracy. Nigerians are watching, and they are angry,” El-Rufai warned.
El-Rufai maintained that the ADC would present Nigerians with a credible alternative built on ethical leadership, performance, and accountability, promising that the party’s full political momentum would become visible in the coming weeks.
“We are organising differently, but Nigerians will soon see that this government has an alternative,” he said.
