Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has dismissed rumors of his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The speculation, which surfaced on social media over the weekend, claimed el-Rufai was set to receive a PDP membership card in Kaduna.
Reacting to the allegations on Sunday via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, el-Rufai labeled the claims as “patent lies” and confirmed he has directed his lawyers to take legal action against the originators of the fake news.
“Please disregard the patent lies and rumors about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of the fake news for further action by my lawyers,” he wrote.
Rumors about el-Rufai’s political realignment have persisted since 2023, following his failure to secure ministerial confirmation by the Senate due to unresolved security clearance issues. Despite being nominated by President Bola Tinubu, the former governor was not sworn in as a minister, fueling speculations about a potential fallout within the APC.
The Senate’s decision, widely perceived as an attempt to diminish el-Rufai’s political influence, coincided with an ongoing corruption probe into his eight-year tenure as governor of Kaduna State. El-Rufai has dismissed the investigation as politically motivated, further deepening tensions within the APC in Kaduna.
Adding to the intrigue, el-Rufai recently shared an article on X criticizing alleged ethnic bias in the leadership structure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited under President Tinubu’s administration, sparking debates about his political loyalty.
Observers believe these developments have contributed to speculation about his future political ambitions. However, el-Rufai’s firm denial and decision to pursue legal action suggest he remains committed to the APC amid the swirling controversies.
