2027: Malami Drags Feet As El-Rufai Mounts Pressure On Him To Dump APC For SDP Guber Ticket

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has reportedly offered the former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), its Kebbi State governorship ticket, orchestrated by former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

Naijaonpoint learnt that there are strong indications that the SDP is mounting pressure on Malami to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) and run for governor in 2027 on its platform.

However, Malami is reportedly holding back, awaiting the moves of the Kebbi state Governor, Nasir Idris, over the purported alliance with the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

A reliable source close to the former AGF, in an interview with the Daily Post, stated that Malami was expected to have defected to the SDP alongside former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, but they are watching the moves of Idris.

The source said, “Malami was expected to officially announce his defection to the SDP in mid-April alongside former Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi, but he has deliberately delayed the move.

“He’s watching the governor (Idris) closely, especially with the claims making the rounds that he may leave the ruling party. If Idris decamps from APC, Malami may remain to easily claim the guber ticket. But if the governor stays put, he could jump ship.”

Also, El-Rufai reportedly met with Malami and other northern political players in Katsina to form a formidable northern political coalition that would rival the President Bola Tinubu-led APC government in 2027.

An insider who spoke with the aforementioned publication said El-Rufai promised Malami a free ticket and full support to join the SDP.

However, Malami is foot-dragging because El-Rufai has not gained national acceptance in the South since his recent SDP defection, and there are speculations that the former Governor’s defection was part of strategic moves to help Tinubu in 2027.

The source said, “El-Rufai is building something bigger than just Kebbi. He’s connecting dots across Kaduna, Katsina Kebbi and Gombe. Malami is central to the Kebbi plan.

“The challenge is that El-Rufai is yet to gain national acceptance in the South following his recent defection to the SDP. This development has caused Malami to reconsider his position. El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP appeared hasty and lacked foresight.

“Many believe he may have defected to the SDP as part of a strategic move to work for President Tinubu, aiming to block any potential coalition by the PDP, which is currently engulfed in deep crisis.

“Don’t forget, the man in power is a known strategist and Malami is not unaware of this. This is one of the reasons he seems to have been foot-dragging.

“Now, the question is whether Malami, should he accept the SDP offer, has what it takes to defeat the incumbent governor in 2027.”