Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that the political coalition he is part of does not require the backing of state governors to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential elections.

In a media chat with journalists in Kano on Monday, El-Rufai, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), expressed confidence in the coalition’s voter-mobilization strategy, which he says is centered around engaging directly with the electorate, rather than courting political officeholders.

“We are trying to offer Nigerians a real alternative — something different from what they have seen before,” El-Rufai stated. He emphasized that the power to determine the outcome of elections lies with the people, not political leaders. “A governor has only one vote. Nigerians have many more votes than one governor or even 36 governors combined,” he added.

El-Rufai’s remarks come as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum recently rejected any talks of coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 elections. The forum made the decision after a meeting in Ibadan, where the party’s leadership distanced itself from the opposition coalition. The rejection followed a visit by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, sparking speculations that the PDP governors would align with the new opposition movement.

In the wake of the PDP governors’ decision, some high-profile defections from the party have been witnessed, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Atiku’s 2023 running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, who recently joined the APC. Despite these setbacks, El-Rufai remains unperturbed, insisting that the coalition’s prospects are not dependent on governors.

“The fact that one governor from the PDP has defected means nothing. We are not counting on governors to win elections. We are counting on the people,” El-Rufai reiterated. Drawing from his own political experience, he pointed to the 2023 Lagos election, where despite having the support of a sitting governor, President Tinubu lost his home state. “If the people of Nigeria say they are not with you, it is over,” he remarked.

El-Rufai’s coalition is focused on providing a genuine alternative to the electorate, rejecting what he termed as the “spent force” of the PDP and the APC, which he claims have been plagued by internal crises. He highlighted that the coalition’s intention is not to merge with the PDP but to build a fresh movement that would inspire hope among Nigerians.

“This is not about North or South anymore. It is about survival, unity, and progress. Whoever can deliver that — wherever they come from — will have my support,” he declared, emphasizing the need for a leader capable of addressing Nigeria’s existential challenges.

As for the question of potential presidential candidates, El-Rufai noted that discussions about leadership positions within the coalition were premature. “Our focus now is not on selecting candidates. It is on building the platform first,” he stated, urging presidential aspirants to set aside their ambitions for the time being and contribute to the coalition’s foundational work.

El-Rufai also made it clear that the coalition is looking to unite like-minded individuals and groups who are committed to bringing about real change in Nigeria, regardless of their political party affiliations. “We are not looking at political parties that are already ravaged by internal conflicts. We are building something fresh, something that will inspire hope,” he added.

El-Rufai also stressed the importance of internal democracy within the coalition. “What destroyed previous parties in Nigeria is a lack of internal democracy and the stranglehold of godfathers. We want to eliminate that,” he said, reaffirming the coalition’s commitment to ensuring that every voice is heard.

Coalition can unseat Tinubu without governors’ backing in 2027 Election – El-Rufai