Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has addressed ongoing rumors regarding his political activities, dismissing speculation that they are linked to a potential presidential bid for 2027. In a recent interview with Arise TV’s Prime Time, El-Rufai firmly stated that while he meets the constitutional criteria to run for the office of President, he has not engaged in any discussions or activities aimed at pursuing such a candidacy.
El-Rufai clarified, “Anyone above the age of 35 with a secondary school certificate is qualified to run for president, so in that sense, I am qualified.” However, he quickly added, “But have I started talking to anybody about running for any office? No.” His comments are aimed at dispelling the growing narrative that his recent political engagements are part of a strategy to position himself for a presidential race.
The former governor’s remarks come amidst increasing speculation regarding his political future. In recent months, El-Rufai has met with key political figures across various party lines, which has fueled rumors that he may be laying the groundwork for a presidential bid. Despite these speculations, El-Rufai remains adamant that his actions are not indicative of any plans to seek the presidency in the near future.
El-Rufai also addressed another topic making headlines—his decision to skip the upcoming meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee (NEC) scheduled for Tuesday at the Presidential Villa. He explained that he would not be attending due to both inadequate notice and prior commitments.
“The constitution of our party requires 21 days’ notice for this kind of national meeting. I don’t think that notice has been given. If it has, I have not received an invitation two to three weeks ago,” El-Rufai said, casting doubt on whether the meeting was in compliance with party regulations. This criticism highlights ongoing tensions within the APC, with some members questioning the party’s adherence to its own constitutional processes.
The APC NEC meeting has become a topic of interest, especially following El-Rufai’s public comments. His absence from the meeting has prompted further speculation about his relationship with the current leadership of the APC and his position within the party.
