El-Rufai made the remarks while speaking at the 23rd Daily Trust Dialogue, where he reflected on Nigeria’s democratic journey and party politics. According to him, Nigeria’s democracy stands out in Africa because power is not monopolised by one political party.
He noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governed the country for 16 years before losing power, adding that the APC is also not guaranteed to rule forever. El-Rufai even suggested that the ruling party could be voted out as early as 2027.
The former governor explained that this pattern shows that political power in Nigeria remains open to competition, unlike in some African countries where dominant parties hold power for decades. He described this as a major democratic achievement for the country.
However, El-Rufai expressed concern that political competition has not yet translated into improved governance or accountability. He argued that despite regular changes in leadership, Nigerians are yet to see the full benefits of democracy in terms of good governance.
He also criticised Nigeria’s political parties, describing them as weak and largely personality-driven and transactional, rather than being built on strong ideologies or institutional structures.
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