by Nafisat Abdulrahman
An old video of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has resurfaced, showing that key opposition figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had long anticipated leadership crises within the political party and had considered contingency plans, including the formation of a new political platform.
The video, from a 2025 interview on PrimeTime show on Arise News Channel, has gained traction amid the ongoing leadership crisis rocking the ADC, following recent action by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise all factions claiming the party leadership.
In the interview, El-Rufai who is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations bordering on corruption, disclosed that Opposition Coalition leaders had explored dual strategies to safeguard their political ambitions.
“You don’t go to war with only one plan, so very early in our discussions, the leaders of the coalition took the decision that we will not only look for existing platforms and identify one that is suitable for all of us to go under one roof and we will also explore the possibility of registering a brand new party,” he said.
He added that many within the coalition believed forming a new political party would be a safer option given the instigated crises in PDP, LP and NNPP at the time.
“Many of the leaders believe that registering a brand new party is the least risky of the proposition.”
El-Rufai further argued that a fresh political platform would be insulated from entrenched internal crises and external interference.
“I think a brand new party does not have legacy problems or any viruses because what the government and the ruling party has been doing is to create problems in opposition parties by recruiting and financing crises to multiply. This is what is happening in the Labour Party (LP), the People’s Democratic party(PDP) and even the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).”
He noted that concerns over alleged interference by the ruling party informed the coalition’s thinking.
“Many of the leaders expressed concern that perhaps the best way to avoid this, if you are dealing with a mischievous government and party that is totally immoral, they will do anything to eliminate all opposition, is to register a brand new party, and the constitution and the electoral act are very clear about the qualification for registering a new party.”
Despite this, El-Rufai expressed doubt about the likelihood of successfully registering a new political party under the then Prof. Manhood Yakubu-led INEC.
“Many of us do not believe that a new party will be registered under the current leadership of INEC. Dr. Mahmud Yakub is not Jega and President Tinubu is not Jonathan. Those were the people in charge when the APC was registered and many were pessimistic about the prospects of registering a new party, but we said, ‘let’s try it anyway.’”
He said the move was also intended to test the independence of the electoral body.
“Let’s show that INEC is not independent, let’s show that this government is interfering to ensure that there is no opposition. So we are pursuing both paths — registering a new party and using ADC — and if both become available, then the leadership will then sit down and a decision will be taken,” El-Rufai had said then.
The resurfaced video came at a time when INEC is facing widespread criticism over its decision to derecognise the leadership of the ADC, including former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, as national chairman and national secretary, respectively, citing compliance with an Appeal Court order.
The decision has deepened an existing leadership crisis within the party, which began in July 2025 following disputes over the composition of its National Working Committee and the role of its former chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Opposition leaders have accused INEC of acting under the influence of the ruling government, a claim the commission has firmly denied. The electoral body has maintained that its actions were guided strictly by constitutional provisions and judicial pronouncements.
Meanwhile, the ADC leadership under Mark has rejected INEC’s position, insisting it will continue its activities and calling for the resignation of the commission’s chairman, citing a loss of confidence in its ability to conduct credible elections.
The unfolding crisis has raised concerns about the stability of opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 general election, however, El-Rufai’s prior revelations indicate that Opposition leaders had long anticipated the current happenings and had planned for the unknown, which only the time shall tell.
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