Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Saturday, stormed Sokoto State as he intensified grassroots mobilisation efforts for a united opposition coalition aimed at dislodging the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.

El-Rufai, a key figure in the new coalition operating under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), held a series of strategic meetings with political stakeholders, youth groups, and women from across Sokoto’s 23 local government areas.

He described the APC as “incompetent and clannish,” warning that the party’s prolonged hold on power threatens Nigeria’s unity and long-term progress.

“I didn’t get into politics to enrich myself but to serve. And when a government ceases to serve the people, it is our duty as citizens to resist it. We must take action,” El-Rufai declared.

The former governor emphasised that the choice of the ADC as the coalition’s platform was deliberate, aimed at uniting progressive forces behind a credible alternative that prioritises national interest over personal ambition.

“If we allow this APC government another term, what remains of Nigeria’s social fabric may be destroyed. This is the fight of our lives,” he said, adding that the coalition would sustain its countrywide mobilisation to build a formidable resistance against the ruling party.

El-Rufai praised the warm reception in Sokoto, expressing optimism about the coalition’s growing strength in the Northwest.

“I am deeply inspired by the energy and commitment of the people of Sokoto. This is how change begins,” he added.

Also speaking, former Senator Abubakar Gada described the coalition as a beacon of hope for Nigerians seeking competent and people-centred leadership.

The Sokoto visit marks a critical phase in the coalition’s nationwide campaign to build momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, with similar engagements expected in other northern states in the coming weeks. (The PUNCH)