Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has debunked rumours suggesting that he plans to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The speculation arose on Sunday after a post on X claimed that El-Rufai was preparing to join the PDP in Kaduna. Responding swiftly, El-Rufai dismissed the claims, describing them as “blatant falsehoods.”
“Please disregard the patent lies and rumours about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of the fake news for further action by my lawyers,” he stated in his reaction.
Rumours of El-Rufai’s potential defection have persisted since 2023, fueled by political developments following his tenure as governor. Speculation intensified after he failed to secure confirmation as a minister in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. The Senate withheld his confirmation due to alleged security clearance concerns, preventing him from assuming the ministerial role for which he was nominated.
Observers saw the Senate’s decision as a move to undermine El-Rufai’s political influence within the APC, where he had been a key figure. Adding to the controversy, El-Rufai’s eight-year tenure as governor is currently under investigation for alleged corruption. The former governor has dismissed the probe as politically motivated, hinting at possible friction with his successor, Uba Sani, despite their shared party affiliation.
Recently, El-Rufai drew attention by sharing an article on X that criticised President Tinubu for alleged ethnic bias in the leadership appointments at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
El-Rufai’s denial of the defection rumours and his decision to pursue legal action highlight his commitment to counter what he describes as politically charged narratives. As tensions within the APC and Kaduna politics continue, all eyes remain on the former governor’s next steps.