Nashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday took another swipe at Bola Tinubu, referring to him as “Pablo” and making a veiled mockery of Remi Tinubu, while throwing his support behind Peter Obi as a strong contender for the 2027 presidential election.
In an X post, El-Rufai likened Tinubu to Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and claimed that Peter Obi would secure victory in the 2027 polls even before the First Lady finishes preparing breakfast on election day.
“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,” Mr El-Rufai said
While acknowledging former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as “a force to be reckoned with,” Bashir El-Rufai attributed his prediction of opposition victory in 2027 to the strength of Peter Obi’s grassroots support. He described Obi’s influence as being driven by “the sheer force of his numbers and cult-like followership,” adding that the former Anambra governor’s widespread appeal among the youth gives him significant leverage.
“El-Rufai’s son added, ‘His appeal across the youth and this younger generation is one profound aspect of his leverage.’”
Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Peoples Gazette.
In earlier remarks, Bashir referred to President Tinubu as “Pablo Escobar,” a reference to the president’s controversial narcotics-related case in the United States. He also warned that the Nigerian government would be making a grave mistake if it attempted to arrest his father, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The elder El-Rufai has been a vocal critic of Mr Tinubu since their political relationship soured following the Senate’s rejection of his ministerial nomination. Despite admitting in a previous interview that he supported Mr Tinubu’s presidential bid—despite the president’s cocaine and certificate scandals linked to his time in Chicago—El-Rufai has since turned against the administration.
In June, he labelled Mr Tinubu’s government as an “evil” regime that would bring further destruction to Nigeria, confessing he had contributed to the rise of a government he now regrets supporting. He also declared his intention to join a coalition aimed at unseating Mr Tinubu in the 2027 election.
On multiple occasions, the former governor has expressed gratitude for not being part of the current administration, especially when witnessing what he described as its failure to govern and its deepening of Nigerians’ suffering.
