Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has announced his intention to return to politics in 2027 after completing his ongoing studies. El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna from 2015 to 2023, revealed this plan during an interview on the Hausa program on Freedom Radio Kaduna. His declaration has sparked discussions about his potential political comeback and the future of his political career.
The immediate past governor made it clear that despite stepping away from active politics for a time, his passion for public service remains undiminished. He emphasized that politics has no retirement, and by the grace of Allah, he intends to return to continue serving the people of Kaduna and Nigeria at large. His remarks came at a time when many are speculating about the future trajectory of his political engagements.
GistReel reports that El-Rufai was one of the key figures initially considered by President Bola Tinubu for a ministerial position when Tinubu assumed office in 2023. However, following intense internal political maneuvering and power struggles, El-Rufai was eventually denied a ministerial appointment under controversial and acrimonious circumstances. Many political observers have since followed his next moves closely, anticipating his reentry into public life.
In the interview, El-Rufai reiterated his dedication to public service, stating that while he is currently focused on his education, he remains committed to returning to politics in the near future. He stated, “I plan to return to politics in 2027 after completing my studies. Politics has no retirement. By the grace of Allah, I will be back to continue serving the people.” This declaration underscores El-Rufai's belief in a lifetime of service, and his refusal to be sidelined despite recent political challenges.
In addition to discussing his future political plans, El-Rufai also took the opportunity to address allegations from the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which accused his administration of misappropriating N423 billion during his time as governor. The former governor vehemently denied these allegations, stating, “I didn’t enter politics to steal or enrich myself. I was already content with what I had before becoming governor.” His defense highlights his insistence on maintaining a reputation of integrity in his public service record.
El-Rufai’s time as governor was marked by both praise and controversy, and his potential return to politics will undoubtedly be closely watched. Recently, the former governor was reported to have met with prominent Nigerian political leaders, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Rabiu Kwakwanso. While the details of these meetings were not made public, speculation has grown regarding the nature of the discussions and how they might influence his political comeback.