Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, met with former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and Pastor Tunde Bakare in Lagos on Sunday. The visit has fueled speculation about his political plans ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Photos of El-Rufai with Aregbesola and Bakare quickly spread on social media, leading many to wonder about the purpose of the meetings. While the details of their discussions were not made public, political observers believe the visits could be part of El-Rufai’s ongoing consultations as he considers his next political move.
In recent months, El-Rufai has been openly critical of both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu. He has blamed the president for his failed ministerial nomination, which was rejected by the National Assembly. The former governor has also been seen engaging with opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Aregbesola, who was once a strong ally of Tinubu, recently left the APC along with his supporters in Osun State. Similarly, Bakare, who ran against Tinubu in the APC’s 2023 presidential primaries, has remained vocal in his criticism of the current administration.
El-Rufai’s media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, confirmed the meeting in a post on social media, stating, “Malam Nasir @elrufai was in Lagos today to visit Ogbeni @raufaregbesola and Pastor Tunde Bakare.”
This visit comes just days after El-Rufai met with former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, further adding to speculation about his future in Nigerian politics. Some believe he may be working to build new alliances, while others suggest he is considering leaving the APC.
During a recent interview on Arise Television, El-Rufai accused Tinubu of excluding him from his ministerial list and criticized National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, alleging that Ribadu was working against the North due to his own political ambitions for 2031.
When asked whether he would support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, El-Rufai avoided a direct answer, stating that he was uncertain if he would still be a member of the APC by then.
