Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed speculation about his interest in running for the presidency and firmly ruled out any possibility of joining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
El-Rufai addressed these rumors during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Monday evening. His remarks come amid heightened curiosity following his recent meetings with key opposition figures, including former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Despite these high-profile engagements, El-Rufai insisted he has no plans to contest for any political office, including the presidency.
“Anyone from the age of 35 with a secondary school certificate is qualified to run for president, so in that sense, I am qualified,” El-Rufai said. “But have I started talking to anybody about running for any office? No. I have never discussed that with anybody.”
His meetings with opposition leaders sparked speculation that the former governor was planning to leave the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP. However, El-Rufai made it clear that joining the PDP was not an option for him.
“PDP is not a party I would consider joining. I thought about it long ago and made my decision. Nothing has changed,” he added.
The former governor’s statement puts to rest rumors of his defection and potential presidential ambition, despite his growing presence on the political scene.
Political analysts believe El-Rufai’s recent activities suggest he remains an influential figure in Nigerian politics. His firm rejection of the PDP underscores his commitment to the APC, a party where he played a significant role during the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.
As Nigeria approaches another election cycle, El-Rufai’s position and future moves will continue to draw attention, particularly regarding his influence within the APC and the broader political landscape.