2027: El-Rufai’s detention could hurt APC, generate sympathy – SEDSAC director, other analysts express views

The continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has sparked debate over its potential impact on the political fortunes of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.
While some political analysts believe the detention could weaken the opposition by keeping one of its key strategists out of active politics, others argue that it could generate sympathy for El-Rufai and become a mobilisation issue against the ruling party.
El-Rufai has been in detention since February 2026 in connection with corruption-related investigations and subsequent court proceedings.
He was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other...