My Visit to Buhari Routine, Not Political; Claims Relationship Cordial

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has brushed off public reactions to his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, telling critics not to “lose sleep” over what he describes as a routine engagement.

El-Rufai clarified that there was no political motive behind the meeting, stressing that his relationship with Buhari remains cordial and intact. “There’s no rift between me and the President,” he said. “People should stop overthinking a simple visit.”

As Daily Trust reported, El-Rufai’s trip, along with similar visits by prominent northern figures like ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Borno Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, has stirred speculation about a potential northern political alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) criticized the visits, describing them as an early sign of a coordinated plan to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to the group, the visits appear to be aimed at building a northern bloc with Buhari as the unifying symbol.

Despite the buzz, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the concerns. Party official Nze Chidi Duru emphasized that Nigerian leaders have the right to associate freely and that such visits should not automatically be seen as political maneuvering.

Former Senator Shehu Sani, however, voiced skepticism about the motives behind the meetings, suggesting they could be laying the groundwork for an attempt to unseat Tinubu in 2027.

In his response, El-Rufai remained unfazed, insisting his focus remains on national progress, not political scheming.