Demola Olarewaju, Senior Political Assistant to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has said the former vice president could secure as many as one million votes in Kaduna State in the 2027 presidential election with the influence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Olarewaju made the claim on Thursday, noting that Kaduna has consistently been one of Atiku’s strongest states in terms of electoral support, both when he won and when he lost presidential elections.
In a post shared on X, Olarewaju said El-Rufai’s political influence could help Atiku significantly increase his support in the state ahead of the 2027 election.
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He also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of potentially using its political power to frustrate the opposition during the election.
“Kaduna State has always been Atiku’s highest voting state – in victory and in defeat,” Olarewaju wrote.
“That state can do a million votes for Atiku in 2027 with Nasir El-Rufai’s influence, but we can trust APC not to play fair and they’ve shown their dictatorial hand early enough.”
His comments come amid ongoing legal proceedings involving El-Rufai, who is currently being held following orders issued by the Abuja Federal High Court.
El-Rufai was arrested by security operatives on February 18, 2026, following his arrival from Egypt. The former governor was subsequently detained as investigations into alleged financial misconduct during his tenure continued.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) brought multiple allegations against the former governor during the year.
El-Rufai was arraigned on a 10-count money laundering charge on March 24. Further proceedings followed in April, including matters involving the Department of State Services (DSS), as well as additional ICPC allegations linked to rail and CCTV contracts.
On April 23, he was formally arraigned in Abuja in a DSS case involving alleged communication interception and other national security-related allegations.
In May, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of N100 million, with one surety.
The ruling followed an application in the case filed by the DSS over an alleged national security breach and claims concerning unauthorised access to a telephone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
In June, Justice Abdulmalik declined to vary the stringent bail conditions imposed on El-Rufai in the DSS wiretapping case.
