We ‘ll Remove Tinubu In 2027 But Keep Bosun Tijani As Minister, Says el-Rufai

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has thrown his weight behind Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, as one of the current administration’s standout performers, revealing that he would retain his position even if President Bola Tinubu is voted out in 2027.

Speaking on Wednesday at the second edition of the Arewa Tech Fest in Katsina State, El-Rufai praised Tijani’s performance and stated clearly that the minister’s role would be safe under a new government, should the coalition he is part of succeed in unseating President Tinubu in 2027.

“We will still keep Bosun Tijani because he is doing good work,” El-Rufai declared during his remarks at the event.

The Arewa Tech Fest, a three-day technology and innovation summit, brings together startups, tech professionals, investors, and policymakers to promote technological advancement in northern Nigeria. The festival was convened by El-Rufai himself.

Minister Tijani, who delivered the keynote address, spoke on digital transformation and innovation in Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

El-Rufai arrived late to the event, apologising to participants and explaining that he was delayed due to a crucial political meeting held the previous evening.

“They (the organising team) had to come without me because yesterday (Tuesday) at 8pm there was a very important meeting of the coalition we’re putting together to ensure that President Tinubu goes back to Lagos,” El-Rufai said.

“I had to attend that meeting at 8pm. The Katsina airport does not operate after 8pm, so I could not come until this morning,” he added.

El-Rufai, once a prominent figure within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is now a leading voice in a growing political alliance seeking to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election. His defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in March signaled a shift in his political trajectory and reinforced speculations about a broader coalition being formed to counter the APC’s influence.

With his latest comments, El-Rufai has not only confirmed the existence of such a coalition but has also publicly positioned Tijani as a technocrat whose expertise transcends party lines.