A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Imo State, Uche Diala, has urged former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to rescind his decision not to contest in 2027 and instead challenge President Bola Tinubu at the polls.
El-Rufai, while receiving a group of youths who defected to the African Democratic Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday, had declared that he had no interest in contesting any political office.
“I am not contesting for anything; I don’t want to go to the Senate. I am not contesting for any position. That is why I am calling on you: let us join hands and ensure we remove the oppressors,” El-Rufai had said.
But Diala, a close ally of the former governor, insisted that El-Rufai’s withdrawal from the race would amount to a “disservice” to his supporters, admirers, and the entire nation.
Diala, in a statement on Friday, said the country’s present realities demanded leaders with El-Rufai’s capacity, experience, and courage.
“Mallam is one of the most consequential politicians in Nigeria today. His not participating will not only dampen the spirits of his supporters but will also deny the nation the benefit of his wealth of experience,” he stated.
Diala explained that El-Rufai’s reluctance to seek office was not surprising, given his track record of avoiding overt ambition.
The Imo APC chieftain maintained that El-Rufai needed to realise that the current political moment was not about him personally but about the country’s future.
“Nigeria needs him now more than ever and he must be sensitive to that reality,” he stressed.
Speaking on whether his call amounted to sidelining other ADC coalition leaders who may also seek the presidency, Diala said the contrary was the case.
He argued that El-Rufai’s entry into the race would enrich the contest and strengthen internal democracy.
According to him, he and other supporters had already been engaging Nigerians across regional, religious, and political divides, quietly mobilising support for El-Rufai’s candidacy.
He added that El-Rufai owed it to Nigerians and his supporters to make himself available for service, noting that the decision on who emerges would ultimately rest with party members and the electorate.
“That is the least he owes us, the coalition movement, and the nation at large,” Diala said.
