Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State and a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has recently intensified his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC). He has made significant claims regarding his personal safety, the future of the current government, and the integrity of Nigeria's electoral processes.

El-Rufai alleged that the APC-led federal government might be planning his arrest. Speaking to BBC Hausa on Wednesday, February 11, he mentioned that while he has not yet been detained, four of his close associates who worked with him in Kaduna have been arrested. He stated, “Four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too.” These comments were made amidst the arrest and ongoing trial of Nigeria’s former Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami.

Beyond personal concerns, El-Rufai offered a stark prediction for the current administration, describing President Bola Tinubu’s government as temporary and asserting it would “go back where it came from” by 2027. During an appearance on Daily Trust Television’s “30 minutes with El-Rufai” on Tuesday, he discussed the ADC’s preparations for the upcoming elections. He expressed certainty that the Tinubu administration would not retain power, stating, “And I assure you that this Tinubu government will go back where it came from, whether it is Lagos or Lagoon Island or wherever. They will go back by the grace of God in 2027.”

He provided insights into the ADC’s organizational structure, explaining that it is a “coalition of individuals” rather than parties, which requires time for formation and internal settlement. El-Rufai noted that much of the party’s strategic work, including grassroots outreach, is being conducted quietly and may not be immediately visible in the media. He confidently stated that internal polls show the ADC as “the preferred party for Nigerians.” Looking ahead, he outlined plans for membership registration, conferences, and conventions to replace inherited leadership, affirming that “the real party will come to the surface” soon.

El-Rufai also contrasted ADC's campaign approach with that of the incumbent government, highlighting the resource disparity. He described the ADC as a “coalition of the willing,” unlike the “sitting government that is a party of thieves,” and acknowledged that the ADC lacks comparable resources for extensive media or social media spending. Despite this, he assured that the party is employing a “different strategy,” organizing, planning, and strategizing to offer Nigerians a credible alternative.

Further escalating his critiques, El-Rufai vehemently attacked Senate President Godswill Akpabio, labeling him a “scumbag by every definition and nothing but an Asiwaju lapdog.” This harsh assessment came in response to proposed amendments to Nigeria’s electoral framework, which El-Rufai alleges Akpabio is frustrating to safeguard the electronic transmission of election results. Speaking on TrustTV, he accused Akpabio of acting in the interest of President Tinubu rather than the legislature or Nigerians.

El-Rufai expressed strong confidence that the National Assembly's conference committee would recommend the restoration of provisions for real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units. He believes that the majority of senators, whom he described as “gentlemen” who want Nigeria to progress, would ultimately defy Akpabio. He predicted, “I think the Senate will overwhelmingly outvote their presiding officer.” When cautioned about his strong language, El-Rufai refused to retract his remarks, asserting his qualification to call Akpabio a “scumbag” due to their long-standing acquaintance.

Addressing the potential for a presidential veto, El-Rufai asserted that even if President Tinubu were to withhold assent to a bill that includes electronic transmission, the National Assembly would likely exercise its two-thirds override power. He attributed this potential defiance to a changed political climate, stating, “Because we’re in election season.” He argued that lawmakers, for their “own self-preservation,” must preserve the electronic transmission provision, as Nigerians are “watching and Nigerians are angry and Nigerians will punish them if they go the way that Akpabio and Tinubu want.” He contrasted this with previous instances where the National Assembly swiftly changed the national anthem or ambiguously passed tax reform bills, emphasizing that the approaching 2026/2027 election cycle makes lawmakers more responsive to public sentiment.