The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, led some chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC to the Abuja residence of a former Kaduna State Governor and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai.
The visit on Thursday came a day after El-Rufai paid a courtesy visit to the National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which has given life to the rumour that the former Minister is plotting to leave the APC ahead of the 2027 poll.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was on his way to securing a ministerial appointment in the government of President Bola Tinubu but he was dropped in the dying minute.
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The senate had failed to clear him over alleged security clearance.
While it was unclear what was discussed at the meeting El-Rufai held with Ribadu, insiders said it was a move to pacify the former Kaduna state governor and stop his defection to another party.
However, an informed source said El-Rufai paid a consultation visit to the National Chairman of the SDP, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam on Wednesday.
According to the source, Gabam, described El-Rufa’i as a friend with high political pedigree and added that Nigeria needed transformational leaders like him.
The source further added that Gabam appreciated him and his entourage for the visit, saying that ‘’it’s time for all stakeholders in the country to put aside ethnic, regional and political differences to move the country forward more especially at this period when the country is facing serious challenges ranging from hunger, insecurity, joblessness, kidnapping, inflation among others.”
The Source hinted that Mallam El-Rufai was received by the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) or party.
El-Rufai’s son and lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, recently revealed that his father and President Tinubu, belonged to different political camps and as such were not the best of friends.
Hon. Bello El-Rufai also revealed that the former governor was not interested in becoming a minister under the current administration.
The lawmaker stated this during an interview on Mic On, an online podcast with Seun Okinbaloye.
El-Rufai has been paying consultation visits to some notable politicians across political parties in the recent time.
