Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is regarded as one of President Bola Tinubu’s key allies.

As a founding member of the party, he played a crucial role in ensuring Tinubu’s emergence as the party’s candidate and eventual assumption of office, overcoming various internal challenges.

Despite his loyalty, El-Rufai was among the few chieftains who missed out on ministerial appointments due to past statements. This exclusion led to a decline in his influence within the party, and he has since emerged as one of its major critics.

His latest criticism came on Monday, January 27, when he alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was plotting to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

His persistent criticism has fueled speculation that he is nursing presidential ambitions.

In this article, we spotlight El-Rufai and other political figures who may challenge Tinubu in 2027:

1) Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai served as the Governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 and was previously the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 2003 to 2007. He also held the position of Director of the Bureau of Public Enterprises.

After being denied a ministerial appointment in 2023 by the National Assembly, the 64-year-old has distanced himself from APC activities.

Recently, he participated in a "strategic meeting" with Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Shehu Musa Gabam (National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP), and Segun Showunmi (Convener of the Alternative Movement), signaling possible political realignment.

2) Rabiu Kwankwaso

Kwankwaso served as Governor of Kano State from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2011 to 2015. After losing his re-election in 2003, he was appointed as Nigeria’s first Minister of Defense under the Fourth Republic (2003–2007) in President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

In 2015, he was elected to the Senate, representing Kano Central under the APC. He later defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In March 2022, Kwankwaso resigned from the PDP and joined the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), where he remains an influential figure.

3) Peter Obi

Obi served as Governor of Anambra State from March 17, 2006, to November 3, 2006, before being impeached. He was reinstated on February 9, 2007, and continued his tenure until 2010. He was re-elected for a second term, serving until March 2014.

A prominent member of the Labour Party (LP) since 2022, Obi was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 Nigerian presidential election.