2027: Coalition will send Tinubu back to Lagos – El-Rufai

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has lauded the performance of the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, affirming that the tech minister would retain his role should a proposed political coalition succeed in removing President Bola Tinubu from office by 2027.

El-Rufai made this disclosure on Wednesday while addressing participants at the second edition of the Arewa Tech Fest in Katsina, a three-day gathering he convened to promote technology-driven innovation across Northern Nigeria.

The event attracted startups, investors, tech professionals, and policymakers.

Delivering the keynote address at the forum was Minister Bosun Tijani, whose stewardship in the digital economy sector received commendation from El-Rufai.

“We will still keep Bosun Tijani because he is doing good work,” El-Rufai declared.

The former governor, who arrived behind schedule, attributed his lateness to a crucial political meeting aimed at rallying a broad opposition front against President Tinubu’s administration.

“I had to attend a very important coalition meeting at 8pm yesterday, focused on ensuring President Tinubu goes back to Lagos. That was why I couldn’t arrive until this morning, as the Katsina airport doesn’t operate beyond 8pm,” he explained.

El-Rufai is currently positioned as a key figure in efforts to build a formidable coalition of political parties and opposition leaders intent on unseating Tinubu in the next general election.

His political realignment reportedly took shape in March, when he defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).