Nasir El-rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has denied reports suggesting he is backing a Southern presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. The reports, which circulated on social media, claimed El-rufai had abandoned his support for Atiku Abubakar, a Northern presidential aspirant, in favor of a Southern candidate. Specifically, it was suggested that El-rufai might be supporting Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

El-rufai described the reports as “untrue” and stated that he had not made any such claims in his speeches, interviews, or social media posts. He emphasized that his opinions and views are only expressed through his official social media platforms or during interviews with reputable media outlets. The former governor cautioned against attributing opinions to him based on articles shared on his social media handles, which he said are meant to contribute to the national conversation.

El-rufai’s denial comes amidst the increasing spread of misinformation on social media, which he attributed to “irresponsible politicking” and the “deliberate misuse of social media for spreading fake news.” He stressed the importance of verifying information before sharing it, particularly in the current era of “turmoil and falsehood.” The former governor criticized some senior editors for failing to fact-check the reports, stating that “society loses” when media leaders spread unverified information.

The controversy surrounding El-rufai’s alleged support for a Southern presidential candidate highlights the complexities of Nigerian politics, where regional and ethnic affiliations often play a significant role in shaping political alliances. As the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, the issue of regional representation and power rotation is likely to remain a contentious topic. El-rufai’s denial of the reports serves as a reminder of the need for accurate and reliable information in the public sphere, particularly in the lead-up to major elections.