El-rufai et Wike: The Inevitable Tsunamis »

It’s no longer news that the duo–Nyesome Wike and Mallam Nasir Elrufai–are now big threats to the parties they belong, respectively. Some sets of Nigerians may not agree to this fact but, that’s inconsequential anyways as their assertion isn’t factual–evident from the state of the nation, presently.

Prior to the presidential primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in May, 2022, among the contenders, Wike was confident enough to declare that he will win the election. He had his calculations made and he was convinced he was going to win the election. But, fate had him lose the election as the gang-up made by Atiku and Tambuwal was a success.

With so much anger, and the feeling of betrayal in him, he vowed to make the selfish cronies–Atiku and Tambuwal–lose in the field by all means. Just as some people are doubting the capacities of the duo, Wike was doubted at the moment. But he delivered his state to Tinubu, neglecting his party ally–Atiku Abubakar.

Understandably, some might argue that El-rufai cannot be a threat to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the coming 2027 presidential election because, he didn’t deliver his state, Kaduna, for the incumbent president during the 2023 presidential election. But then, if the coin should be flipped, the president himself was incapable of delivering his state for himself in that same election. So, does it really add up to undermine El-rufai’s capacity with such assertion? Certainly No!

A well thoroughly groomed and informed political analyst wouldn’t make such assertion because, in presidential election, what is sought is the national influence a politician is able to make, not regional. Had president Tinubu not won the election, the support given to him by Wike wouldn’t have counted.

Also, for the fact that he, El-rufai, came out with such figures in presidential election and then winning the gubernatorial election in spite of all the gang-ups from those who felt insulted by his statement: “there’s nothing like the northern elders forum,” should serve as enough justification for his political acumen. The fact remains that, El-rufai, as it stands in the political atmosphere of the country, is a movement.

For reasons best known to the President, El-rufai revealed during his latest interview with the Arise tv that, the president changed his mind after nominating him to serve as Minister for Power. He further stated, emphatically, that the National Assembly had nothing to do with his non confirmation as the Minister.

This betrayal, likened to that of Wike–when he was promised a vice president slot but later failed to be fulfilled by Atiku Abubakar, serves as a reason behind their revolution which can best be described as this clause “let the ship capsize.” For anything, through either of the duo–El-rufai et Wike–a tsunami will happen in 2027.