Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has issued a stark warning, stating that Nigeria’s fragile unity could be further eroded if the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) remains in power beyond 2027.

El-Rufai made the remarks during a visit to Sokoto State as part of a grassroots mobilisation campaign. The effort is part of a broader strategy to build support for a consolidated opposition front ahead of the next general elections.

Now aligned with the opposition bloc operating under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), El-Rufai launched a scathing critique of the APC, labelling the party as “incompetent, divisive, and a threat to the nation’s future.”

While addressing key political stakeholders, as well as women and youth representatives from Sokoto's 23 local government areas, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory urged citizens to rally against what he described as “failed leadership and governance collapse.”

“I didn’t enter politics to amass wealth, but to serve the people. When leaders fail, it’s the duty of every patriotic citizen to rise and act. That’s exactly what I’m doing — and I won’t stop,” El-Rufai stated.

He said the choice of the ADC as a platform for the opposition coalition was intentional, aimed at offering Nigerians a credible and inclusive alternative in the 2027 elections.

“If APC retains power, the little that remains of our national unity may be completely destroyed. This is more than a political contest — it’s a battle for our survival,” he emphasized.

El-Rufai praised the large turnout and enthusiasm of Sokoto residents, saying he was moved by the dedication and energy shown by both grassroots supporters and political leaders.

Former Senator Abubakar Gada, a key opposition figure in Sokoto, echoed El-Rufai’s position and pledged the coalition’s commitment to delivering competent leadership at both state and national levels.

The Sokoto rally is widely seen as a pivotal moment in the opposition’s drive to challenge APC dominance nationwide, with El-Rufai’s visit marking the beginning of what insiders describe as an “intensified national mobilisation campaign.”