2027 Presidential Election: El-Rufai Predicts Tinubu Will Finish Third
Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has once again intensified his criticism of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, boldly predicting that the president will come a distant third in the 2027 general elections.
El-Rufai, now a prominent figure within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, made the revelation on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, as obtained by PulseNets from Tribune reports.
According to him, his political calculations leave no chance of an outright first-ballot victory for President Tinubu.
“I have done my maths. Tinubu will finish third in the 2027 election. There is no pathway for him to win outright. At best, we may end up with no clear winner in the first ballot,” El-Rufai told PulseNets.
Nigerians Must Judge by Personal Well-Being
The former Kaduna governor urged Nigerians to stop relying on political propaganda and instead measure the administration’s performance by the state of their own lives.
“Ask yourself this simple question: is your life better today under President Tinubu?” he asked.
El-Rufai further stressed that the current administration does not even attempt to conceal its lack of direction.
“There is no pretense of good intentions. A government should be open to assessment within weeks of assuming office, not years,” he added.
No Interest in Ministerial Position
When pressed about his personal ambitions, El-Rufai dismissed any desire to return as a federal minister, recalling his early political years.
“I was already a minister at 23. Why would I need such a position again? I was even considered for energy minister, and I had a roadmap ready to transform the sector,” he revealed.
From APC Kingmaker to ADC Coalition Leader
PulseNets learnt that El-Rufai, who played a decisive role in the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory of 2023 and was one of Tinubu’s most vocal campaigners, has now switched sides. He has aligned with other opposition heavyweights including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Rivers governor Chibuike Amaechi.
He spoke frankly on party loyalty and election outcomes, dismissing the notion that governors alone determine results.
“I was in APC but I did not deliver Kaduna. Tinubu himself lost Lagos. It is not governors who decide elections, it is the people,” he told PulseNets.
Harsh Words on Security Failures
El-Rufai also did not spare the administration over its handling of insecurity, accusing government officials of focusing on public relations instead of real solutions.
“Every week they announce that terrorists have been killed, yet the same elements are walking freely on the streets. That is the bitter reality,” he said.
Skepticism Over One-Term Promises
On the growing chorus among opposition leaders such as Peter Obi and Amaechi promising to serve for only one term if elected, El-Rufai remained deeply unconvinced.
“I want them to stop making such pledges. Nobody believes them. Once they get into office, things change. In fact, it is unfair to even make that kind of commitment,” he argued.
Also Read: Nobody is Too Big to be Voted Out” — El-Rufai’s Son Sends Cryptic Message to Tinubu
El-Rufai’s fresh political repositioning and bold claim that President Tinubu will not survive the first ballot in 2027 add a dramatic twist to Nigeria’s political landscape. His move from APC strongman to ADC coalition leader not only underscores his disillusionment with the current government but also signals the brewing alignment of opposition forces ahead of 2027.
