El-Rufai says defections by top politicians “mean nothing” in Nigerian elections
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has downplayed the importance of high-profile political defections in Nigeria, saying they have little impact on who actually wins elections.
Speaking to journalists in Kano State, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftain insisted that only the people—not governors, godfathers, or even presidents—truly decide election outcomes.
“As far as I’m concerned, the defection of high-profile politicians is not the issue,” El-Rufai stated. “These defections are good for headlines and to sell newspapers, but politically on the ground, if you don’t have the people, your profile means nothing.”
He went on to say:
“We want to return politics to the people, not to godfathers or so-called high-profile politicians. A governor has only one vote. Nigerians have millions. If the people say no, it’s over.”
Backing up his point, El-Rufai reminded reporters that:
“Even the president had a sitting governor and still lost Lagos. I was governor of Kaduna State. I fought hard to deliver the president in my state, but I lost. Governors don’t determine election results — the people do.”
His comments come shortly after Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and former PDP vice presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
There are also reports that more governors and lawmakers may soon switch parties.
