Trusting El-Rufai Is Political Suicide – Mahdi Shehu

Human rights activist, Mahdi Shehu has described former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as a diminishing political force, following the outcome of the recent by-elections in the state.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Shehu argued that El-Rufai no longer holds the political influence many of his supporters believe he still has. He went as far as calling the former governor a “political burden,” cautioning opposition parties that aligning with him in future elections would be a “suicidal” move.

Shehu particularly criticized the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which managed to secure only 146 votes out of the 17,452 cast in the Basawa State Constituency election, calling the result evidence of the party’s political irrelevance.

“Any party that scores just 146 votes out of 17,452 is clearly in political destitution — orphaned, rejected, and irrelevant, regardless of the crowds it drew during the campaign,” Shehu wrote.

He said the overwhelming rejection of ADC and its allies in Basawa, Zaria Kewaye, and Chikun/Kajuru constituencies sent a strong signal to El-Rufai and his political camp.

“Zaria voters have not forgotten their grievances — not the students, the pensioners, the teachers, or the health workers,” he added.

Shehu further suggested that the ADC’s poor performance should prompt soul-searching for El-Rufai. “Scoring 146 votes should push him to reflect, repent, and seek forgiveness.”

The activist didn’t spare other opposition parties either, urging the PDP, SDP, LP, and ADC to reconsider their political alliances.

“El-Rufai may have a loud voice, but banking on him for electoral success is like gambling blindfolded. He may appear intellectually sound but has become politically bankrupt.”

While acknowledging that the PDP performed relatively well in the by-elections, Shehu stressed the importance of selecting credible political strategists.

“If these parties genuinely want to succeed in future polls, they must work with individuals who have minimal political baggage — not those who’ve caused widespread discontent.”

He ended with a pointed proverb: “Every day is for the thief, but one day belongs to the owner. El-Rufai’s harvest time has begun.”

In the Basawa State Constituency by-election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured 10,996 votes, the PDP garnered 5,499, SDP received 811, and ADC came last with just 146 votes.