2027: “Seek support elsewhere not in the south-south” – Ex-militant warns El-Rufai

Eshanekpe Israel, aka Akpodoro, Mayor of Urhoboland and former Niger Delta militant, has warned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, against seeking support from the South-South in his political manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

El-Rufai has recently been vocal in criticizing his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and President Bola Tinubu, citing political marginalization. However, Akpodoro insists that the South-South region is not buying into his grievances.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday, February 24, 2025, Akpodoro rejected El-Rufai’s appeal for a North-South-South alliance to unseat Tinubu in 2027.

“El-Rufai is mistaken if he thinks he has any stronghold in the North, let alone in the South-South. We once made the mistake of opposing one of our own, President Goodluck Jonathan, in 2015—we will not repeat that error,” Akpodoro stated.

He went on to question El-Rufai’s legacy, accusing him of leaving behind a trail of suffering and bloodshed in Kaduna.

“Southern Kaduna is finally breathing a sigh of relief after his departure. People in his state are grateful to President Tinubu for bringing a different leadership approach,” he added.

The Mayor stated that northerners are now more politically aware and recognize that El-Rufai and his allies prioritize personal ambition over national interest.

He further urged the former governor to abandon hopes of South-South support.

“El-Rufai should look elsewhere for alliances. When he was at the Bureau of Public Enterprises, he never remembered this region, now he wants to exploit it for political gains. We stand firmly with President Tinubu,” Akpodoro concluded.