A former gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State, Salihu Isa Nataro, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to encourage Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, to rejoin the ruling party. Nataro’s appeal comes as the country’s political landscape undergoes significant realignments, particularly in the North-West geopolitical zone.
The recent removal of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as APC national chairman has reportedly weakened the zone’s influence within the party, prompting concerns about the region’s political representation. Nataro emphasized the need for President Tinubu to focus on the North-West, citing the potential threat of a coalition involving Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State, under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) banner.
Despite the possibility of Abba Kabir Yusuf, the incumbent Kano State governor, defecting to the APC, Nataro believes the North-West still lacks a unifying figure capable of mobilizing broad support for the President. He attributed the rift between el-Rufai and the Tinubu camp to envy and the actions of political detractors, describing the former Kaduna governor as a strategic asset with significant influence in the region.
Nataro criticized el-Rufai’s decision to rely on foreign loans for urban renewal projects in Kaduna State, suggesting that the funds could have been better invested in education, agriculture, or the establishment of cottage industries. However, he acknowledged el-Rufai’s impressive record in public service, including his performance as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to Nataro, el-Rufai’s return to the APC would significantly boost President Tinubu’s electoral prospects in the North-West, given the former governor’s extensive political reach and influence in the region. With the 2027 general elections approaching, Nataro’s call for el-Rufai’s return highlights the importance of strategic alliances and party unity in the face of emerging political challenges. The move could potentially strengthen the APC’s position in the North-West, a crucial region in Nigeria’s political landscape.
