Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has provided fresh insight into the political maneuvering that influenced the push for power rotation ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, drawing attention to the role played by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Dalung made the disclosure during an interview on Symfoni TV, where he reflected on the internal dynamics within the northern political bloc during the closing period of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
His remarks come amid ongoing debates over the decisions that led to the emergence of a southern presidential candidate in the last election cycle.
According to Dalung, El-Rufai was instrumental in mobilizing key northern political figures to take a clear position on the issue of succession and zoning.
He claimed that the former governor spearheaded efforts to bring together a group of influential governors from the region to engage President Buhari directly on the matter.
Recounting the development, Dalung stated that El-Rufai coordinated five governors, including the then chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Simon Lalong, to meet with Buhari and discuss the direction of the 2023 elections.
He explained that during the meeting, Buhari declined to impose any candidate or dictate the outcome, instead telling the governors to make their own choice.
This position, Dalung suggested, gave northern leaders the freedom to determine their political path and may have strengthened support among some stakeholders for a shift of power to the southern region after Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
The former minister’s account sheds light on how consensus may have been built among influential northern figures at a critical moment in Nigeria’s political history.
His remarks point to the role of consultation, negotiation, and strategic alignment in shaping major electoral decisions.
The disclosure also raises broader questions about how political agreements are reached within Nigeria’s ruling class and the level of influence exercised by prominent actors during pivotal moments.
