Atiku names detained El-Rufai ADC deputy chair to honour sacrifice
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has named former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman of his 2027 presidential campaign council, a move explained by ADC chieftain Dele Momodu as a tribute to El-Rufai’s political sacrifice. Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ on Friday, Momodu said El-Rufai’s detention is politically motivated, noting that the former governor chose to return to Nigeria despite knowing he would be arrested and now faces harsh bail conditions. Momodu added that, without El-Rufai’s earlier contributions, President Bola Tinubu might not be in office today. The ADC unveiled its campaign council on Thursday, with Kashim Ibrahim-Imam appointed chairman and El-Rufai as his deputy, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This development highlights how opposition figures are leveraging narratives of sacrifice and persecution to strengthen their electoral appeal, especially as El-Rufai remains in detention over allegations tied to his tenure in Kaduna. It also signals ADC’s attempt to broaden its base by aligning with a high-profile northern politician whose legal battle has drawn national attention. For voters, the move raises questions about how allegations of political victimisation influence party strategies and public perception ahead of the next election cycle.
Considering El-Rufai’s ongoing legal challenges and the symbolic weight of his inclusion, would you view this as a genuine honour of sacrifice, a tactical political move, or a combination of both—and how might it affect your view of the ADC’s 2027 prospects?