Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has continued his series of high-profile consultations, meeting with former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and cleric-politician, Pastor Tunde Bakare, in Lagos on Sunday.
Photos of El-Rufai with Aregbesola and Bakare quickly went viral on social media, sparking fresh discussions about his political maneuvers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Although details of their discussions were not disclosed, many believe the meetings are part of El-Rufai’s strategic engagements as he reassesses his political future. The former governor has been openly critical of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in recent times.
El-Rufai, a longtime APC chieftain, has been at odds with the Tinubu-led administration since his ministerial nomination was rejected by the Senate. He has blamed the president for his exclusion and has hinted at reconsidering his loyalty to the party.
His meeting with Aregbesola, a former close ally of Tinubu who recently left the APC, and Bakare, who contested against Tinubu for the APC presidential ticket in 2023, has fueled speculation about possible political realignments.
In recent months, El-Rufai has also been seen engaging with opposition figures, including the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, further raising questions about his next political move.
His latest visit was disclosed by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, who tweeted:
“Malam Nasir @elrufai was in Lagos today to visit Ogbeni @raufaregbesola and Pastor Tunde Bakare.”
El-Rufai’s Lagos visit came just days after he met with former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, adding to the growing intrigue surrounding his political future. His recent comments during an interview on Arise Television, where he accused Tinubu of deliberately sidelining him, have further fueled the tensions.
When asked about his plans for 2027, El-Rufai declined to confirm whether he would support Tinubu’s re-election bid, stating that he was uncertain if he would remain in the APC.
His perceived anti-party stance has drawn reactions from APC leaders. National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka recently questioned El-Rufai’s motives, while APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, dismissed concerns over his movements.
“We don’t have any comment. Anybody who wants to worry about his movements is free. So far he is a Nigerian, El-Rufai is free to visit anybody he likes,” Basiru stated.
APC’s National Deputy Organizing Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, also downplayed the significance of the visits, emphasizing El-Rufai’s right to free association.
“There is freedom of association, which is very important. And it is good that he is exercising it to the highest. So I don’t think any meaning should be read into his recent visits other than a meeting of friends,” he said.
