Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has claimed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is gaining increased acceptance among voters in Nigeria’s core northern region ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Bashir made the claim in a post on X on Thursday while commenting on the political fortunes of Atiku, who is expected to contest the presidency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
According to him, the former vice president is receiving a level of support from the core North that he has not experienced during his long 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,” Bashir wrote.
He also linked the reported shift in northern sentiment to the ongoing debate over fuel subsidy. Bashir argued that Atiku’s position on the issue could become an important factor in 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,” he stated.
The claim is significant because northern votes are expected to play an important role in determining the outcome of the 2027 presidential election. However, Bashir’s assessment represents his personal political view and has not been independently established as a measure of voter sentiment across the region.
The comments come as political parties and opposition groups intensify efforts to build nationwide support ahead of the next general election.
Atiku, a former vice president and longtime presidential contender, has previously contested the presidency several times. His expected 2027 bid is taking place within a broader opposition coalition that includes several prominent political figures.
As political activity increases, issues including fuel prices, economic hardship, regional representation and governance are expected to feature prominently in campaigns. Whether Atiku can translate the reported northern momentum into broader electoral support across Nigeria will become clearer as the 2027 election approaches.
