2027: ‘Tinubu Govt Will Go Back To Lagos Or Lagoon Island’ – El-Rufai

Former Kaduna State Governor and prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that the party is fully focused on dislodging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, stressing that the groundwork is being done quietly but decisively.

Abia Radio News reports that El-Rufai, who spoke during an interview with Trust TV, acknowledged that the ADC may not currently enjoy the high visibility that accompanied the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, but insisted that the coalition-led party remains the clear alternative for Nigerians.

Addressing concerns about the ADC’s seeming silence in the face of growing public discontent, El-Rufai said internal mobilisation and restructuring efforts were already underway.

El-Rufai said, “Yes, there is that concern. I can assure you, even within the party, we have these discussions. We’re worried about the silence on the part of the party… But this party is not a coalition of several parties, it’s a coalition of individuals. So, it is taking time to settle.”

He noted that grassroots mobilisation was ongoing, albeit under the radar.

The former governor said, “A lot of background work is being done. A lot of outreach at the grassroots is being done, which may not be in the media… But I assure you, our party is the preferred party for Nigerians. We have carried out polls that show that very clearly and decisively.”

Declaring that the ADC would soon take full shape, El-Rufai added, “I assure you that this Tinubu government will go back where it came from — whether it is Lagos or Lagoon Island or wherever, they will go back by the grace of God in 2027.”

Campaign Will Be Different, Ethical, People-Focused — El-Rufai

On why the ADC had not yet projected a powerful opposition narrative despite growing public dissatisfaction with the APC-led government, El-Rufai pointed to financial limitations and a deliberate strategy.

He further stated, “The campaign timeline embedded in the 2022 Electoral Act is rather long. It favours the incumbent that has a lot of money. We are a coalition that is coming together… we don’t have even a fraction of the resources that they have.”

He stressed that the ADC was not interested in flashy optics or superficial media campaigns.

He added, “We are not going to do what is business as usual. But I assure you, we are organising, we are planning, we are strategising.

“We are going to offer Nigerians an ethical government… a manifesto that they can relate to, that works for the people.”

El-Rufai also hinted that the momentum Nigerians have been waiting for from the opposition would become visible within the next few weeks.