‘Myself, Peter Obi Were Given Forebearance In ADC Coalition,’ El-Rufai Clarifies Party Membership

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has clarified his position within the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led opposition coalition, insisting that questions about his party membership were secondary to the broader political alliance being built for the 2027 general election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, El-Rufai explained that both he and Labour Party’s Peter Obi were granted leeway to remain in their respective legacy political parties until the conclusion of critical state elections later this year.

“When the ADC was inaugurated as the opposition for the 2027 elections, Peter Obi and Nasiru El-Rufai were given forbearance to remain in our parties till the conclusion of some critical elections. So, the question of my membership of the party is above the pay grade of any party member. This is part and parcel of the original covenant of the coalition,” he said.

El-Rufai stressed that ongoing political commitments in Anambra and Niger States necessitated flexibility within the coalition.

“Peter Obi has elections in Anambra in November and he’s going to campaign for Labour Party. We have elections in Niger State in November and I’m going to campaign for SDP,” he explained.

He argued that focusing on his official party affiliation misses the bigger picture of the coalition’s objectives.

“So, whether I am in the SDP or ADC is not the material issue. I am one of the leaders of the coalition and how we are putting our coalition together is for us to determine,” El-Rufai added.