Questioning El-Rufai’s political instincts, Galadima argued that the former governor’s early coalition efforts demonstrate a limited understanding of opposition strategy.

Buba Galadima, a key figure in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and former National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), has alleged that ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is acting as a “placeholder” for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

According to Galadima, the move is a strategic backup in anticipation of a possible breakdown within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections. He made the revelation during a recent interview, where he also discussed ongoing efforts to establish a broad opposition alliance aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu in the next electoral cycle.

“Well, not El-Rufai himself, but some of his associates, including the chairman of the SDP, visited me. We had a lengthy discussion, and I shared my views with them.

“I am confident that my perspective will prevail because El-Rufai cannot lead an opposition. It’s simply the law of karma catching up with him,” he said.

Galadima revealed this during the interview, noting that while El-Rufai was not personally present, key allies from the SDP, including its chairman, had approached him for discussions, during which he firmly expressed his stance.

Galadima condemned El-Rufai’s political conduct, claiming he has a pattern of turning against influential allies, including Atiku Abubakar, ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, and now President Bola Tinubu.

“He ditched a lot of people. Someone with this kind of record, I don’t think if you are sensible, you will follow him,” Galadima said.

He added, “It is only an insane person who does not understand politics or has no history who can follow El-Rufai.”

Galadima went on to challenge El-Rufai’s political instincts, suggesting that his premature coalition efforts indicate a poor understanding of how opposition politics work.

“No opposition runs a marathon race. It’s a sprint, a 100-meter dash. El-Rufai is starting early. By the third year, he must have been dismembered,” Galadima stated.

He concluded, “It’s because he’s not a politician, or because God is pushing him to suffer because of the bad things he did to the people.”

The NNPP leader also confirmed that various political figures, including El-Rufai, have begun discussions with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.

Galadima also went ahead to accuse Wike of being behind PDP crisis. He described the party as “irreparably broken.”

“The PDP has been destroyed completely; it is irredeemable, that is why Atiku is afraid of being stranded. El-Rufai is now jumping to become a placeholder for Atiku,” he stated.