Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has stated that Bosun Tijani, the current Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, will be retained in office if the opposition coalition succeeds in removing President Bola Tinubu from power in the 2027 general election.
Speaking at the second edition of Arewa Tech Fest in Katsina on Wednesday, El-Rufai praised Tijani for his performance in the federal cabinet.
“Though we will still keep Bosun Tijani, we will still keep the minister because he is doing good work,” he said.
Tijani had earlier delivered the keynote address at the event, a three-day gathering that connects startups, tech professionals, investors, and policymakers across Northern Nigeria.
El-Rufai, who arrived late to the venue, apologized for his delay, citing a major political development.
“They had to come without me because yesterday at 8pm, there was a very important meeting of the coalition we’re putting together to ensure that President Tinubu goes back to Lagos,” he revealed.
The former governor, who left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in March, has become a central figure in ongoing opposition efforts to build a unified front ahead of the next presidential election.
His comments come amid increasing political activity among opposition leaders, with talks of a coalition involving Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and other key stakeholders gaining traction.
As the 2027 race slowly builds momentum, El-Rufai’s praise of a sitting minister while calling for the president’s removal underscores the growing complexities within Nigeria’s shifting political landscape.