Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has shed light on the political merger that contributed to the defeat of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections.
In response to claims suggesting that political coalitions are often aimed at ousting southern Nigerian presidents, El-Rufai clarified that the 2015 merger was driven by widespread dissatisfaction with Jonathan’s administration, not regional politics.
He emphasized that many Nigerians and opposition parties believed the PDP-led government under Jonathan was underperforming. He also pointed out that Jonathan’s controversial decision to seek re-election in 2015—despite an earlier promise not to—sparked internal party tensions.
According to El-Rufai, smaller opposition parties realized they could not survive independently, prompting the historic merger that formed the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He emphasized that the coalition’s objective was to end the PDP’s dominance and prevent the fragmentation of opposition forces during elections, rather than targeting a southern president.
“The merger was about ensuring political survival and creating a viable alternative to what we believed was a failing government,” El-Rufai stated.
