Nasir El-Rufai Denies Presidential Aspirations for 2027

Babatunji Wusu –

• Nasir El-Rufai denied that his political engagements are aimed at securing a 2027 presidential bid.
• He confirmed his eligibility to run for president but stated that he has not discussed candidacy with anyone.
• El-Rufai also confirmed his absence from the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting due to short notice and procedural concerns.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has responded to speculations suggesting that his recent political activities are part of a strategy for a presidential bid in 2027. In an interview with Arise TV’s Prime Time, El-Rufai acknowledged that he meets the constitutional qualifications to run for president but clarified that he has not begun any conversations regarding a candidacy. He stated, “Anyone above the age of 35 with a secondary school certificate is qualified to run for president, so in that sense, I am qualified. But have I started talking to anybody about running for any office? No.”

His remarks came in light of growing rumors about his potential bid, sparked by his recent meetings with political figures across various party lines.

Furthermore, El-Rufai announced he would not be attending the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Tuesday at the Presidential Villa. He cited the insufficient notice given for the meeting, noting that the party’s constitution mandates a 21-day notice for such gatherings. El-Rufai emphasized that he had not received the invitation within the required time frame.