Peter Obi is Surprisingly Not a Bad Person After All,” Says Bashir El-Rufai 

Bashir El-Rufai, the son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has publicly revised his stance on Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential elections. In a tweet posted on Monday, Bashir announced, “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.” This unexpected change has sparked widespread conversation, particularly in the context of ongoing political dynamics.  

Bashir’s comments seem to suggest that his previous negative opinion of Obi was influenced by his affiliation with the All Progressives Congress (APC). The tweet marks a significant shift in his political perspective, especially given that the Labour Party and APC have been major rivals in recent years. The nature of his reversal has led many to speculate about potential alliances in the future.

Adding fuel to the fire of speculation, there have been rumors that Nasir El-Rufai, Bashir’s father, may seek a political partnership with Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections. These rumors have raised questions about the possibility of a major shift in Nigerian politics, as such an alliance could pose a formidable challenge to the current ruling party, the APC. While no official statement has been made regarding these speculations, the mere suggestion has generated significant political buzz.

Earlier in the year, Nasir El-Rufai himself made headlines by calling for a unification of opposition parties, including the Labour Party, under the banner of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He made this call as part of his decision to resign from the APC, a move that sent shockwaves through the Nigerian political landscape. In a statement announcing his resignation, El-Rufai expressed his desire to rally opposition members to join forces in the quest to unseat the APC in 2027.

In the statement, El-Rufai said, “Without prejudice to this decision, as a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and unite under a single democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections between now and 2027, by the Grace of God.” His call for unity among opposition parties is seen as a strategic move to consolidate the opposition’s efforts against the APC.

The timing of these developments is significant, as they coincide with growing dissatisfaction with the current APC-led government. El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, has been increasingly vocal in his criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly after the Senate’s decision to reject his nomination for a ministerial position.

Given his experience and influence within Nigerian politics, El-Rufai’s actions and statements are being closely monitored. His call for opposition unity could reshape the political landscape as the country prepares for the 2027 elections.