Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has directed his supporters to vote for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, at all levels in the 2027 general elections.
‎‎The directive was disclosed by an ally of the former governor, Mrs Baba, who is also the ADC National Vice Chairman (North-West), during a coalition meeting of El-Rufai’s support groups in Kaduna.
‎‎Mrs Baba said El-Rufai had urged his supporters to remain united, peaceful and law-abiding as they mobilise to secure victory for the party in Kaduna State.
‎‎She said the meeting was organised to bring the various support groups together and coordinate their activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
‎‎”Mallam also said I should tell you to remain united because it is only when we are united that we can achieve our goals during the election,” she said.
‎‎Mrs Baba said El-Rufai had specifically directed his supporters to vote for the ADC in presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections, as well as at the local government and ward levels.
‎‎”We want to tell our people that this is the message from Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as verified by him: he wants us to vote for ADC at the federal level, state level, local government level, wards, and everywhere across the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State.
‎‎”We want Kaduna to be ADC. This is our responsibility, this is what we want to do, and this is what he wants us to do, and we are ready to do it,” she said.
‎‎The ADC chieftain said the coalition would establish a database of El-Rufai’s supporters across the state and organise regular meetings to strengthen coordination among the groups.
‎‎She added that the supporters were committed to sustaining what she described as the former governor’s legacy, particularly in education, healthcare and empowerment.
‎‎”He has already laid the foundation, and it is left for us to continue with his legacy,” she said.
‎‎Mrs Baba, however, expressed concern over insecurity in parts of Kaduna State, particularly Birnin Gwari, Giwa and Millennium City, calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.
‎‎”We cannot afford to have people being kidnapped while they are carrying out their lawful duties,” she said.
‎‎She also alleged that more than 30 of El-Rufai’s supporters had been arrested about two weeks before the meeting, questioning what she described as repeated arrests of the former governor’s loyalists.
‎‎Mrs Baba urged security agencies to remain impartial and discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution.
‎‎”They are government officials; they should not take sides, and they have to do their work according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.
‎‎She urged the supporters to remain resilient and law-abiding, while expressing optimism that El-Rufai would soon rejoin them.
‎‎Another ally of the former governor, Ibrahim Hussaini, dismissed suggestions that El-Rufai had lost his political support base, insisting that his loyalists remained numerous across Kaduna State and other parts of the North.
‎‎Mr Hussaini described the former governor’s current situation as a test from God, expressing optimism that it would ultimately strengthen his political standing.