A former National Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change and an influential member of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has issued a warning to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against contesting the 2027 presidential election.
In a recent interview, Galadima alleged that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is acting as a proxy for Atiku in the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Galadima refused to make a full assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying he prefers to judge any government after its first two years.
However, he acknowledged rising hardship and inflation under the current All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership, adding that relying on secret deals or favoritism cannot sustain an economy.
Addressing concerns over internal challenges within the NNPP, Galadima insisted the party is stable and only under pressure from the ruling APC. He accused the federal government of undermining the elected government in Kano State by withdrawing security support and using financial incentives to sway party members.
He cited an example of a Kano senator claiming he received N90 billion worth of federal projects to weaken the NNPP government in the state.
Galadima dismissed reports of mass defections from the NNPP, stating those individuals were expelled for working against the party’s interests.
He emphasized that political strength in Kano lies with the people, not with powerful figures or defectors, noting how NNPP leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso achieved political victories in the past without backing from prominent political elites.
Responding to claims that Kwankwaso is aligned with President Tinubu, Galadima rejected the suggestion, pointing to APC’s repeated efforts to destabilize the NNPP and its administration in Kano as proof of enmity, not collaboration.
Galadima revealed that although El-Rufai did not contact him personally, representatives of the SDP, including its chairman, did.
He criticized El-Rufai’s ambitions, calling him a divisive figure without grassroots support. According to Galadima, El-Rufai is not genuinely building a movement but is acting as a placeholder for Atiku. He believes El-Rufai’s political history of betrayal and lack of public trust will ultimately doom the SDP’s prospects.
He confirmed that several political figures have reached out to Kwankwaso regarding possible alliances, including El-Rufai. However, Galadima believes it is too early for coalition moves, suggesting such efforts are better timed for the middle of 2026, when the ruling party may no longer have the power to influence outcomes.
Galadima expressed pessimism about the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as irreparably divided into three factions: one loyal to the Minister of the FCT, another to the governors, and a third, the weakest, to Atiku. He asserted that Atiku is positioning himself to jump ship to the SDP if he loses control of the PDP.
Galadima dismissed the idea of a North-South power rotation, saying leadership should be decided by the people through fair elections. Nonetheless, he advised Atiku to step aside in 2027, having been supported by others since 1992. He suggested it might be time for Atiku to back a younger candidate—even his son, if qualified—rather than continue pursuing the presidency himself.
Galadima urged President Tinubu to resist the urge to suppress opposition voices, warning that dismantling democratic institutions could backfire.
He advised the president to remain open to dissent and not rely solely on reports from security agencies.
