“The APC Will Not Govern Forever; Likely Gone by 2027” — El-Rufai

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not remain in power indefinitely, emphasizing that political authority in Nigeria is contestable.

Speaking at the 23rd Daily Trust Dialogue from Brussels, Belgium, where he is recovering from illness, El-Rufai highlighted Nigeria’s unique democratic landscape, noting that no single party has permanent control.

“Nigeria does not have a permanent ruling party, and that is an achievement,” he said, recalling that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governed for 16 years before losing power. “The APC will not govern forever. It is likely that in 2027, the APC will be gone.”

He added that while political power is competitive, it has yet to result in consistent accountability or effective governance. El-Rufai also described Nigeria’s political parties as weak, driven more by personalities and transactions than institutional strength.

He noted that Nigeria’s contestable political system distinguishes it from some African countries with dominant-party rule.