By OBSERVERS TIMES
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has openly declared his intention to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, asserting that Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, would retain his portfolio should a new coalition emerge victorious.
El-Rufai made the audacious statement on Wednesday during the second edition of the Arewa Tech Fest held in Katsina. The three-day event, convened by the former governor, brought together a diverse group of tech stakeholders, including startups, investors, professionals, and policy leaders, to discuss innovations pertinent to northern Nigeria.
Minister Bosun Tijani delivered the keynote address at the well-attended event.
Addressing participants upon his late arrival, el-Rufai apologized for the delay, attributing it to a crucial “coalition meeting” held at 8 pm on Tuesday. “They (the organising team) had to come without me because yesterday (Tuesday) at 8 pm there was a very important meeting of the coalition we’re putting together to ensure that President Tinubu goes back to Lagos,” he stated emphatically.
He further added, “Though we will still keep Bosun Tijani, we will still keep the minister because he is doing good work.” El-Rufai explained that the late meeting prevented him from traveling with the team on Tuesday, as the Katsina airport does not operate after 8 pm.
The former Kaduna helmsman has been widely reported as a key figure in the ongoing efforts to galvanize opposition forces and form a formidable coalition aimed at unseating the incumbent administration in 2027. This public declaration further underscores his commitment to this political objective.
In March 2025, el-Rufai officially announced his departure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), signaling a clear shift in his political alignment ahead of the next electoral cycle.
