Nasir el-Rufai, Hamza Al-Mustapha, and other political figures met in Abuja to strategize ahead of Nigeria's 2027 elections. The meeting, convened by SDP Chairman Shehu Gabam, focused on strengthening opposition politics.
Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, and Hamza Al-Mustapha, former aide to Sani Abacha, recently participated in a strategic meeting in Abuja with other political figures ahead of Nigeria's 2027 elections. The meeting, convened by Shehu Gabam, the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), aimed to discuss the state of opposition politics and solidify strategies for the upcoming elections.
The event, which also included prominent politicians like Segun Showunmi, a former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s campaign, focused on strengthening the opposition’s democratic engagement in Nigeria. Showunmi highlighted the gathering as a crucial step towards ensuring a robust opposition movement. The meeting comes amidst growing speculation about el-Rufai's political future, particularly following his failure to secure a ministerial position after President Bola Tinubu’s nomination. This has fueled rumors of his potential defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Social media reactions to the meeting were mixed. Some critics mocked el-Rufai’s political maneuvering, with one user calling him a “toothless dog,” while others speculated that he was already aligned with the SDP, awaiting the right moment to formally announce his shift. A few supporters praised the potential for strong opposition candidates in 2027, including figures like el-Rufai and Peter Obi, emphasizing the importance of a competitive political landscape.
