Former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has responded to growing speculation surrounding his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, urging critics and political adversaries not to lose sleep over what he described as a simple act of brotherhood and faith.

The high-profile visit, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other notable political figures, occurred at Buhari’s residence in Kaduna.

It has since stirred conversation across political circles, with some observers interpreting it as an early sign of a potential political realignment or coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, El-Rufai has firmly dismissed any political undertones linked to the meeting. In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, the former governor downplayed the significance of the gathering, stating it had nothing to do with politics.

ALSO READ: Fresh trouble for El-Rufai as Kaduna SDP refuses to recognise his membership

“We joined other faithful for Jumaat prayers at the Yahaya Road Mosque and had a sumptuous lunch at the Buhari residence,” El-Rufai wrote, describing the atmosphere as one rooted in spirituality and camaraderie.

Now a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) after his recent defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai poked fun at the speculations, saying, “By the way, our adversaries should not lose any sleep. It is not about politics. It is about unity and brotherhood. And since we are all politically irrelevant, we just prayed and enjoyed lunch with our mentor.”

The former governor maintains that the gathering was purely social and not a signal of any political plot as connoted by political analysts.

ALSO READ: Atiku, El-Rufai, Tambuwal visit Buhari amid coalition talks to unseat Tinubu

In a surprising political development, former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, met with former President Muhammadu Buhari at his Kaduna residence on Friday, April 11, alongside former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

The high-profile meeting was revealed by El-Rufai’s close ally, Imran Wakili, who posted on X: “Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, together with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Tambuwal, and other dignitaries, visited former President Muhammadu Buhari at his Kaduna residence. El-Rufai’s endless respect for Buhari is priceless, even with the best effort of Garba Shehu.”

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, accompanied by Nasir El-Rufai, Aminu Tambuwal, and other dignitaries, visited former President Muhammadu Buhari at his Kaduna residence. pic.twitter.com/WYvStnZCmr

— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) April 11, 2025

Although details of their private discussion remain undisclosed, the visit comes amid intensifying political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku, El-Rufai, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi recently formed a coalition aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The coalition was announced at a press briefing organised by a group known as Concerned Leaders and Political Stakeholders in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: 2027: Tinubu supporters blast Atiku-led opposition coalition

At the event, Atiku stated, “We’re building a broad platform to rescue Nigeria,” signaling a new political alignment.

Meanwhile, former Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Adewale Adebayo disclosed that discussions were potentially ongoing for Atiku and Obi to join the SDP.

“If they can embrace our party’s ideology, we can defeat and retire Tinubu and the APC,” Adebayo declared.

Adding to the intrigue, NNPP chieftain Buba Galadima claimed El-Rufai could serve as Atiku’s placeholder in the SDP, should the PDP deny him its ticket.

As alliances shift and new power blocs form, the road to 2027 is already heating up.

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READ ALSO: Nigeria launches Africa’s 1st AI tool to track carbon emissions

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READ ALSO: Connected Development launches $5m fund to boost AI reporting in Nigerian media

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