Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has strongly dismissed as false a viral claim suggesting he had indicated which region should produce Nigeria’s president in 2027.
The reports circulating widely on social media alleged that El-Rufai, a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress, had endorsed the South for the 2027 presidency and hinted at backing Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement shared on his official X account, El-Rufai described the reports as “untrue” and clarified that he never made such remarks in any speech, interview, or on his verified social media platforms.
“My attention has been drawn to a trending fake news item alleging that I specified which region of the country should produce the president in 2027. This claim is untrue, despite its virality. I did not make such a statement in any of my speeches, interviews, or social media posts,” he said.
He further explained that opinion articles written by others, even when shared on his platforms to spark national debate, should not be misattributed to him. El-Rufai emphasised that such misrepresentation fuels irresponsible politicking and the deliberate spread of falsehoods on social media.
The former governor urged media professionals and the public to verify information before sharing or publishing, stressing the societal risks of circulating fake news. “In this age of turmoil and falsehood, the obligation to verify information before posting or publishing has become more important than ever. Society stands to lose when media leaders align with irresponsible actors in what can only be described as the unedifying Olympics of fiction and fakery,” he noted.
El-Rufai concluded by reiterating that no views should be attributed to him unless explicitly expressed on his official platforms or in interviews with reputable media organisations.
