Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has claimed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is gaining increasing acceptance among people in the core northern region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Bashir made the claim in a post on X, describing the development as a significant shift in Atiku’s political career.
According to him, Atiku is receiving support from the core North in a manner he believes has not happened previously.
He wrote that Atiku’s growing popularity in the region was partly linked to his reputation as a politician who has historically presented himself as less driven by ethnic considerations.
Bashir also argued that Atiku’s renewed campaign against the fuel subsidy removal is creating political pressure for the current administration.
He described the subsidy debate as potentially capable of changing the political calculations ahead of the 2027 election, particularly because of the economic realities confronting Nigerians.
The former governor’s son further spoke about his father, saying that whenever he visited him, he was struck by his resilience, positive outlook and ability to remain cheerful despite the challenges surrounding him.
Bashir said he once asked his father whether he still believed the sacrifices he had made were worthwhile.
According to him, his father responded without hesitation that they were.
