Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will likely go in 2027.

Naija News reports that El-Rufai, while speaking at the 23rd Daily Trust Dialogue, themed “Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: What Is Working and What Is Not,” said the political power in Nigeria remains contestable.

El-Rufai noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governed Nigeria for 16 years before losing power, and the APC will also not rule forever.

According to the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria’s democratic experience stands out on the African continent because no single party permanently controls power, unlike in some other countries with dominant-party systems.

He said, “Nigeria does not have a permanent ruling party, and that is an achievement.

“The PDP governed for 16 years. The APC will not govern forever. It is likely that in 2027, the APC will be gone.

“Power therefore remains contestable. This distinguishes Nigeria from dominant party systems elsewhere on the continent.” 

El-Rufai stressed that political competition has not yet translated into good governance or accountability, noting that political parties in Nigeria remain weak and “personality-driven and transactional.”

He said, “Competition has not yet matured into accountability and good governance.”

The former governor, who spoke from Brussels, Belgium, where he said he was recovering from illness, apologised for his absence from the event in Abuja.