Former Niger Delta militant leader and Mayor of Urhoboland, Eshanekpe Israel, also known as Akpodoro, has slammed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over his recent comments on the 2027 elections.
Reacting to El-Rufai’s reported call for an alliance between the North and the South-South to challenge the Bola Tinubu-led administration, Akpodoro dismissed the idea, stating that the South-South region has learned from past mistakes and will not turn against its own again.
Speaking in Abuja after meeting with Niger Delta leaders, the ex-militant maintained that El-Rufai has no real influence in the North, let alone in the South-South. He referenced the 2015 elections, where the region backed Muhammadu Buhari against former President Goodluck Jonathan, and insisted such a decision would not be repeated.
“El-Rufai should tell Nigerians what legacy he left in Kaduna other than sorrow, pain, and bloodshed,” Akpodoro stated, accusing him of ruling with an iron fist and nearly costing the APC victory in his state.
He further praised President Tinubu for bringing relief to Southern Kaduna residents, who, according to him, suffered heavily under El-Rufai’s tenure due to insecurity and banditry.
“Northerners are now wise enough to see that El-Rufai and his allies only serve their personal interests, not the masses,” he added.
