Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Former Kaduna State Governor and prominent opposition figure, has revealed plans to register a new political party as a back-up platform for the opposition coalition, raising concerns over possible interference from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which the coalition recently adopted.
El-Rufai, who is also a chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), made the disclosure during an interview with Radio France International (RFI) Hausa Service on Wednesday night.
He stated that the new party would serve as an alternative vehicle should the ADC be destabilized by internal strife allegedly orchestrated by the APC.
“The opposition parties’ alliance in the ADC is temporary, and we may register a new party as a second option, which we will move to should the ADC be instigated into crisis by the government,” El-Rufai said.
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The opposition coalition, composed of various political leaders and parties, had officially adopted the ADC as its unifying platform on Wednesday as part of broader efforts to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. Advertisements However, El-Rufai raised alarm that the APC may attempt to sabotage the coalition by inciting longstanding ADC members against the newly-installed leadership aligned with the coalition’s interests.
He further alleged that those resisting pressure to defect to the APC often face threats of politically motivated investigations by federal anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC, ICPC, and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). “The government is using these institutions to intimidate politicians who refuse to join the APC,” he claimed.
Political analysts say the decision to prepare a new party underscores the deepening mistrust within Nigeria’s political arena, especially as opposition leaders seek to build a formidable front ahead of 2027.
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It also reflects ongoing strategic calculations aimed at avoiding a repeat of the internal conflicts that have weakened similar movements in the past. So far, no official name has been announced for the proposed new party. However, insiders say consultations are already underway to ensure a seamless transition if the coalition decides to abandon the ADC. Background
El-Rufai, once a key figure in the APC and an influential voice in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, has in recent months emerged as a fierce critic of the Tinubu-led government, aligning himself with a growing list of disenchanted political heavyweights seeking to reshape Nigeria’s political future.
This indicates a strategic foresight by the coalition to ensure they have a stable and crisis-free platform for their 2027 ambitions, even if their initial choice faces unexpected hurdles.
