By Oscar Okhifo
A confidential letter purportedly written by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has surfaced months after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) concluded its Kaduna State governorship primaries, revealing his frustration over what he described as his exclusion from key party decisions and raising fresh questions about internal cohesion within the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The handwritten letter, dated May 20, 2026, also questioned the neutrality of the committee constituted to conduct the Kaduna governorship primaries and urged the party’s national leadership to dissolve it, warning that its composition could undermine the party’s electoral prospects in the state.
Although the authenticity of the document has not been independently verified, its emergence after the primaries has prompted questions over why it only entered the public domain months later.
The letter was addressed to the ADC National Chairman, David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, with copies to Kaduna State Chairman Najaatu Mohammed, members of the National Working Committee and all governorship aspirants in Kaduna State.
In the letter, El-Rufai warned that decisions being taken by the party leadership threatened months of work invested in uniting the party in Kaduna.
“I am writing to convey my concerns about steps being taken that could wreak havoc on all the efforts invested to unite our party in Kaduna State,” El-Rufai wrote.
At the centre of his complaint was the composition of the Kaduna State Electoral Committee, which he alleged lacked the neutrality required to conduct a credible primary election.
“I am afraid that the current constitution of the Electoral Committee, whose membership includes a known agent of Uba Sani, and three others that represent one of my gubernatorial aspirants, would lead to non-acceptance of the results and handing over the election to Uba Sani,” he stated.
He did not provide evidence to support the allegation. However, he argued that the committee’s composition could deepen divisions within the party and weaken its chances in Kaduna State.
The former governor also complained that despite his role in building the opposition coalition in Kaduna, he had been shut out of important decisions, which he attributed to his detention.
“I am disappointed that in spite of my role in the coalition and efforts to build the party in Kaduna and ensure a level-playing field for all, my detention has led to my exclusion from all matters of Kaduna State and North-West where I am one of the leaders,” he wrote.
He added: “Even the courtesy of consultation as a leader has been denied.”
“The party appears quite comfortable in taking decisions, forming committees, etc., without the mere courtesy of consultation.”
Warning of the implications, El-Rufai stated:
“This omission can affect the party in Kaduna.”
As a remedy, he proposed that the existing electoral committee be dissolved and replaced with a new committee comprising representatives of all five governorship aspirants, alongside Senator Lawal Usman (Mr. La) and Senator Khalid.
He also recommended Dr. Auwalu Anwar of Kano State as chairman of the reconstituted committee.
Beyond the immediate dispute over the primaries, the letter has renewed debate over El-Rufai’s standing within the ADC and the wider opposition coalition while he remains in detention.
Although there is no public evidence that the party leadership deliberately sought to sideline him, the contents of the letter suggest the former governor believes his detention has significantly reduced his influence over decisions affecting Kaduna State and the North-West.
His complaint that major committees were constituted without consultation has fuelled speculation about whether one of the coalition’s most influential figures is losing political leverage at a crucial stage of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Political observers note that detention can limit a politician’s ability to negotiate, build consensus and mobilise supporters, even where such a leader retains significant grassroots influence. Absence from strategic meetings and consultations can reduce a political leader’s capacity to shape key decisions.
Whether El-Rufai can continue to wield substantial influence from detention may therefore depend not only on his political support base but also on the extent to which the ADC leadership continues to rely on his counsel.
If his recommendations and political structure are repeatedly overlooked, analysts say his influence over the party’s affairs in Kaduna could gradually diminish, even if he retains considerable support among party members and the electorate.
The implications could extend beyond El-Rufai himself.
Kaduna remains one of the ADC’s most strategic battlegrounds ahead of the 2027 general elections, and the former governor is widely regarded as one of the party’s most influential figures in the North-West.
Should his supporters conclude that he has been sidelined, the party could face internal discontent, weakened cohesion and reduced mobilisation in one of its key political strongholds.
Others, however, argue that the party leadership may simply be adapting to the practical realities created by El-Rufai’s detention and ongoing court cases by allowing other leaders to oversee day-to-day political decisions. If so, the disagreement may reflect administrative necessity rather than a deliberate effort to marginalise him.
How the ADC manages the balance between recognising El-Rufai’s political stature and ensuring the party continues to function during his legal challenges could shape both his future influence within the coalition and the party’s electoral prospects in Kaduna State.
The timing of the leak has also attracted attention. With the Kaduna governorship primaries already concluded, questions are being asked about why the document surfaced only now and whether its publication reflects lingering disagreements within the party or an attempt by interested actors to shape public perception of the ADC’s internal politics.
The letter is believed to have been written from detention.
El-Rufai, a prominent member of the ADC and one of the leading figures in the opposition coalition, is currently in custody pursuant to a court order after reportedly failing to meet what his legal team has described as stringent bail conditions.
He is facing multiple criminal charges, including alleged money laundering and the alleged unlawful interception of communications involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
He has, however, denied the allegations and is contesting the charges before the court.
Neither El-Rufai nor the national leadership of the ADC had publicly commented on the leaked letter as of the time of filing this report.
It also remains unclear whether the recommendations contained in the document were considered before the party conducted its governorship primaries.
Whether the letter ultimately reflects internal disagreements or merely one chapter in the party’s evolution, it has revived debate over consultation, inclusion and the management of political alliances within the ADC—issues likely to remain significant as the opposition seeks to present a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections.