The Digest:
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has declared that opposition must remain resolute in unseating President Bola Tinubu's government in 2027, following an alleged security agency attempt to detain him at Abuja Airport. Addressing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during a solidarity visit, El-Rufai said the incident strengthened his resolve: "We must not sleep between now and March 2027 until we remove this tyrant from office." He described the episode as "unfortunate, totally unnecessary, and probably criminal," alleging that the ICPC procured DSS operatives to "abduct" him without prior invitation. El-Rufai claimed the ICPC chairman acted on "direct orders" from National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, accusing the government of using security agencies for political purposes.
Key Points:
- The incendiary language ("tyrant") escalates political rhetoric and deepens opposition-government polarisation.
- It fuels public perception of security agency weaponisation against political opponents ahead of 2027.
- El-Rufai gains anti-establishment credentials, while the government faces intensified scrutiny over democratic practices.
- This signals the opposition's determination to frame the 2027 election as a battle against authoritarianism.
- The timing, immediately after the airport incident, maximises political impact and media attention.
Sources: Vanguard, El-Rufai/Statement
