By Israel Bulus
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, Alhaji Isa Sadiq-Achida, has cast doubt on the political future of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that his influence—particularly in Southern Kaduna—has all but evaporated.
Speaking in Sokoto on Saturday, Sadiq-Achida dismissed recent moves to form a Northern political coalition as a desperate gathering of “paperweight politicians,” but reserved harsh criticism for El-Rufai, questioning both his legacy and relevance within Kaduna’s political landscape.
“I doubt that El-Rufai will have any meaningful political future in Kaduna,” he declared. “The people of Southern Kaduna were deeply hurt under his tenure. He didn’t even allow them to vote freely.”
Sadiq-Achida’s remarks come amid mounting speculations that El-Rufai may be aligning with other northern political figures in what appears to be a loose coalition aimed at countering the Tinubu-led APC ahead of 2027. But the Sokoto APC chairman believes El-Rufai’s past governance record has alienated key constituencies in Kaduna.
“El-Rufai’s brand of politics has left scars, especially in Southern Kaduna. His approach widened divisions and eroded trust among communities that once had faith in leadership,” he added.
The APC chieftain also dismissed the broader Northern coalition talks, describing its members as lacking genuine grassroots support.
“Most of them cannot even win their polling units. They are politicians on paper, not on the ground,” he said.
He referenced figures like former Senator Abubakar Gada and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as emblematic of a waning Northern opposition. He alleged that Atiku’s grip on his political base is weakening and cited Gada’s failed attempt to mount a serious challenge in Sokoto politics.
Despite concerns over regional alliances, Sadiq-Achida expressed strong confidence in the APC’s dominance, especially in Sokoto, and reaffirmed the state’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Even if any so-called coalition emerges in the North, Sokoto alone will deliver enough votes to bridge any gaps for President Tinubu,” he stated.
The comments underscore growing tension among Northern elites as political repositioning continues ahead of the next election cycle, with El-Rufai’s political fate now becoming a subject of public scrutiny and partisan debate.
