By Eshioromeh Sebastian
Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has suggested that the North should step back from presenting a presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.
This is even as he argued that the South should be allowed to complete the remaining four years of the current political cycle.
In a post shared on X, Bashir outlined his personal position on the country’s political direction, advocating a continuation of Southern leadership in the next electoral cycle.
“Let the South complete their remaining four years,” he wrote, indicating that Northern political actors should defer presidential ambitions until after the current cycle.
He further stated that opportunities for Northern candidates would remain open in the subsequent election cycle, noting that 2031 would provide a clear path for any interested aspirant from the region.
Bashir also expressed support for a Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket in 2027, referring to it as an “O.K” presidential ticket that would help salvage the country from its present challenges.
He suggested that such an alliance, forged with backdoor dealings and clear-cut responsibilities, would go a long way in addressing the nation’s quagmire.
He tipped Obi to run as president, stating that his victory would help Southern Nigeria complete its eight-year presidency before power switches to the North in 2031.
His comments add to the ongoing discourse around power rotation and regional balance in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
The debate over zoning has intensified, with the Presidency insisting that the South should retain power until 2031 under the North-South power-sharing arrangement.
However, opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have argued that power rotation is a political convention, not a constitutional decree, and that presidents are elected, not crowned.
Bashir’s position is notable given his political affiliations. Despite being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he has publicly supported his father, Nasir El-Rufai, who is currently facing prosecution.
The former Kaduna governor was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on April 23, 2026, by the Department of State Services (DSS) on an amended five-count charge bordering on alleged breach of national security, including the unlawful interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all charges. He remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after being taken into custody on February 18, 2026. His bail application has been adjourned, with proceedings set to continue in May and June 2026.
Nasir El-Rufai had previously defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before joining the opposition coalition which adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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