Aisha Yesufu Defends Alliance with El-Rufai in Opposition Coalition

Co-convener of the defunct BringBackOurGirls movement, Aisha Yesufu, has defended her decision to join forces with former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the newly formed opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Yesufu’s stance comes in response to widespread criticism on social media, with many questioning her collaboration with El-Rufai despite their history of political hostility.

Taking to her official X handle, Yesufu maintained that nation building is not a “romantic affair” and stressed the importance of putting personal differences aside in the interest of achieving a common goal.

“Nasir El-Rufai @elrufai has a nuisance value: his anger and vindictiveness, and you think I will not use that? Let me laugh in 3D!” she wrote. “You think nation building is a romantic affair? I am okay with looking bad while you look good.”

Yesufu, a vocal advocate for good governance and accountability, argued that El-Rufai’s political influence — which she described as “nuisance value” — could prove useful in building momentum against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu ahead of the next general election.

Her remarks have reignited debate over the diverse and sometimes unlikely alliances forming within the opposition coalition, which includes key figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and other political heavyweights who recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their new platform.

The coalition’s goal is to present a united front to challenge the APC’s hold on power in 2027, with leaders and supporters arguing that bridging old divides is necessary to deliver meaningful change.