In the general election of 2027, Bashir El-Rufai, the son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has ruled out the African Democratic Congress (ADC) selecting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as their presidential candidate.
In response to criticism of a possible Atiku candidacy, Bashir, who has become more outspoken in his political commentary since joining the ADC, made the statement on Thursday in a post on 𝕏 (previously Twitter).
“If your presidential candidate is Atiku, then you will woefully lose,” wrote a user named @Osi_Sauve. I’m just expressing the obvious. Bashir said that Atiku will not be included on the ADC’s ticket.
“Atiku won’t be it. Bashir wrote, “I think Atiku ought to be the statesman and the godfather of this momentous turning point in our country’s history.”
Instead of running for president again, he advised the former vice president to take on a leadership position in national politics.
El-Rufai added that a victorious presidential ticket would combine a well-liked South-East candidate with a powerful and well-liked Northern running mate.
He wrote, “My calculus can easily defeat them with that strategy.”
Bashir’s remark adds to the increasing interest in potential coalitions among opposition circles, even if he did not name any potential candidates. This is especially true in light of recent rumors of high-level talks between Atiku, Governor Seyi Makinde, and former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida.
