On Tuesday, a member of the African Democratic Congress, Hayatudeen Lawal Makarfi, said former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai is preparing to contest for the presidency in the 2027 general elections, speaking to journalists shortly after the former governor’s court appearance.
Makarfi, described as a close ally of El-Rufai, made the remark while addressing reporters after proceedings related to the ongoing trial involving the former governor. He indicated that political steps towards the 2027 race had already begun and expressed confidence about El-Rufai’s future ambition.
El-Rufai, who once served as governor of Kaduna State and earlier as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is currently facing trial over allegations of corruption linked to his time in office. He has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission as the legal process continues.
The development comes amid growing political activities ahead of the next general elections, with different parties and figures positioning themselves for possible contests. The ADC, which has been involved in internal leadership issues in recent times, is also witnessing moves by members seeking to strengthen its presence on the national stage.
While no official declaration has been made by El-Rufai himself, the statement by Makarfi adds to ongoing discussions about potential candidates for the 2027 presidential race, as political alignments continue to take shape across the country.