Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, has dismissed suggestions that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai poses a significant political threat to the President’s re-election ambitions in 2027.
Dare made this known during his appearance on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, amid growing attention on El-Rufai’s recent alignment with an opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) platform.
The coalition, which El-Rufai reportedly joined, aims to unseat President Tinubu in the upcoming general election. El-Rufai had earlier stated that the coalition’s central goal is to stop Tinubu from securing a second term.
In response, Dare downplayed the political influence of the former minister, questioning El-Rufai’s electoral reach and significance.
“Is El-Rufai 110 million Nigerians who will vote? How many voters does El-Rufai command?” Dare asked. “Even if he commands them, can he decide who they will cast their vote for?”
He further argued that Nigeria’s political landscape is far bigger than any one individual, adding that there are more influential political figures capable of swaying the electorate.
“I have respect for him, but this idea to equate El-Rufai with Nigeria and millions of votes is an overreach,” he stated.
Dare emphasized that other politicians—not aligned with the opposition—hold greater sway in national politics and are actively contributing to what he described as the “transformation taking place in this country.”
“El-Rufai is not bigger than any other Nigerian because everybody has a stake in the country,” he concluded.
Dare’s remarks come as Tinubu continues to face criticism and political maneuvering ahead of 2027, with several opposition voices rallying against his administration’s economic policies and reforms. However, the presidency remains confident that Tinubu’s reforms will ultimately secure public support and pave the way for a second term.
