Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, believes Labour Party’s Peter Obi poses a more serious threat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential race than former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Bashir argued that Obi’s wide appeal, especially among the youth, gives him an edge—particularly if he selects a strong vice-presidential candidate from the North.
“Atiku is a force to be reckoned with. He also feels the stars have finally aligned in his favor. And although 2019 is thought to had been his best shot, this may be one of those ‘moment meets the man’,” he wrote.
“However, the sheer force of Obi’s numbers and cult like followership brings a challenge. His appeal across the youth & this younger generation is one profound aspect of his leverage.”
“Obi as a flag bearer with a strong Northern candidate would defeat Pablo on Election Day before our dear mother of the Nation — Aunty Remi finishes his breakfast around 12 noon.”
Bashir’s comments come amid intensified political maneuvering ahead of 2027.
His father, Nasir El-Rufai, along with other key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their political platform.
The high-level meeting, held on July 1, 2025, in Abuja, signaled the start of an opposition coalition expected to mount a formidable challenge to President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
