2027: Atiku’s growing Northern support could change election dynamics – Bashir El-Rufai

By Musa Baba Adamu

Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has claimed that African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar is gaining increasing acceptance among voters in northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Bashir argued that the growing support represents a significant development in Atiku’s political career, particularly among what he described as the “core North.”

In a post on X, he said Atiku was benefiting from a perception that the former vice president had historically demonstrated a more inclusive and less tribal approach to politics.

“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 detribalized, historically, of the bunch,” he wrote.

Bashir also suggested that Atiku’s position on fuel subsidy was beginning to resonate with Nigerians and could become an important issue in the 2027 campaign.

He said the subsidy debate had created what he described as a compelling political narrative around the economic realities facing citizens, adding that the development appeared to be causing concern within the government.

“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 also spoke about Nasir El-Rufai’s resilience and attitude despite the challenges he has faced.

He said he was often struck by his father’s optimism and determination, adding that he once asked whether the sacrifices involved in his political journey had been worthwhile.

“Without hesitation, he said YES,” Bashir recalled.

His comments come as political parties and presidential hopefuls intensify efforts to build support across northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 election, with economic hardship, fuel prices and subsidy policy emerging as key issues in the unfolding political contest.