Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed claims that he betrayed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stating that their relationship predates politics.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, which gained traction on Saturday, March 15, El-Rufai clarified his stance on Atiku and explained his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He also called on opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, to join the SDP in what he described as a movement to rescue Nigeria.
El-Rufai expressed disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, revealing that he had high expectations based on Tinubu’s performance as Lagos State governor. “We all know about his issues in Chicago, but we thought if he could replicate his work in Lagos for Nigeria, let’s support him. However, he failed,” he said.
On accusations of betraying Atiku, El-Rufai firmly denied any wrongdoing, stating, “I never betrayed Atiku Abubakar because we didn’t meet in politics; we met at work. At work, if I see that he didn’t do well, whoever he is, I will tell him.” He also recalled his opposition to former President Muhammadu Buhari on the naira redesign policy, even taking legal action against him.
Reflecting on past political conflicts, El-Rufai addressed the Obasanjo-Atiku feud, stating that those working under former President Olusegun Obasanjo believed he was right. “It was not about north and south; Obasanjo was right. Atiku and I are now together, and if I betrayed him, why are we together now?”
The former governor concluded by calling for opposition unity ahead of the next election cycle. “What I want and pray for is for all opposition leaders—Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola—to join the SDP and work together for a better Nigeria.”
His comments come amid a wave of political realignments, with several former Buhari ministers and key figures leaving the APC for the SDP, fueling speculation about a stronger opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
