What I discussed with Obi at the sideline of Cambridge Africa conference– Nasir El-rufai
Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai and Mr. Peter Obi put their political past aside when the duo met at the 11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference (ATC) at ST John’s College, University of Cambridge.
Despite the tacit rivalry that exist between Peter Obi and Nasir El-rufai’s supporters; rivalry which started when Nasir El-rufai in an interview ahead of the 2023 presidential election, referred to Peter Obi as a social media candidate as well as a Nollywood actor. El-rufai made the remark to disparage Peter Obi in his support for the then presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
But the 2023 presidential election dramas and controversies appear to have been left behind as Nasir El-rufai seeks to consolidate the opposition parties to challenge his erstwhile friend, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 presidential election; and Peter Obi has remained a strong name among others whom Nasir El-rufai would want in the opposition coalition.
According to Nasir El-rufai camp, the duo took advantage of the 11th Annual Cambridge Africa Together Conference to discuss political developments in Nigeria and the way the underperforming administration of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu can be challenged in the 2027 election.
While Peter Obi has in different occasions stated that he is not against coalition of opposition parties, he said the coalition must genuinely be committed to good governance rather than power grabbing. The former governor of Anambra state, vowed never to be part of any coalition whose essence is to seize power without offering good governance.
On the other hand, former governor Nasir El-rufai since his falling out with the Tinubu’s administration over his failed ministerial appointment as well as his soured relationship with his successor, governor Uba Sani, he has become the harbinger of opposition parties coalition.
The former governor of Kaduna State resigned his membership to the APC while joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP) with his supporters across the north west states.
Nasir El-rufai alongside Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are expected in coming days to unite their supporters in view of defeating president Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
