Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, says Atiku Abubakar is gaining growing acceptance among voters in the northern region ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Bashir, in a post on X, said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate is receiving support from the “core North” in a way he has not experienced throughout his political career.
“Atiku is gaining traction in the North. For the first time in his political career, he is being embraced by the core North, in part because of his mantra of being the most detribalised, historically, of the bunch,” he wrote.
He also said the debate over fuel subsidy, which he attributed to Atiku, was putting pressure on the government and could influence the 2027 election.
“That calculus could be the game-changer. They are rattled. This subsidy debate forged by Atiku forms a perfect narrative to the realities on the ground,” Bashir stated.
Reflecting on his visits to his father, Bashir said he remained struck by Nasir El-Rufai’s resilience and positive outlook despite the political circumstances surrounding him.
“When I visit my father, I always leave truly amazed by how it is we, on the outside, that are bothered. His resilience, uplifting spirit and usual banter hit in a profound way,” he said.
Bashir added that he had asked his father whether he still believed the sacrifices he had made were worthwhile.
“Without hesitation, he said YES,” he wrote.
