The embattled former governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai has directed his supporters to vote for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at all levels in the 2027 general elections, his ally, Hajiya Hafsat Baba, has said.
Baba, the ADC National Vice Chairman (North-West), said El-Rufai urged his supporters to remain united, peaceful, and law-abiding as they mobilize to deliver Kaduna State to the party.
She disclosed this during a coalition meeting of support groups for the former governor in Kaduna, noting that the gathering was aimed at uniting the groups and coordinating their activities ahead of the 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.
Baba stated that El-Rufai’s message was clear: his supporters should vote for the ADC in the presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly elections.
“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,” she said.
“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 explained that the coalition would establish a database of El-Rufai’s supporters across the state and hold regular meetings to strengthen coordination among the groups.
Baba added that the supporters are committed to sustaining 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.
She expressed concern over insecurity in parts of Kaduna State, particularly Birnin Gwari, Giwa, and Millennium City, urging 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 were arrested about two weeks prior to the meeting, questioning what she described as the repeated arrests of the former governor’s loyalists.
Baba called on security agencies to remain impartial and discharge their duties 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 supporters to remain resilient and law-abiding, expressing hope that El-Rufai would soon rejoin them.
Another ally of the former governor, Ibrahim Hussaini, dismissed claims that El-Rufai had lost his political support base, stating that his loyalists remain numerous across Kaduna State and the North.
Hussaini described El-Rufai’s current situation as a test from God, expressing optimism that it could ultimately strengthen his political standing.
He urged supporters to stay united ahead of the 2027 elections, adding that recent developments had revealed those who were only pretending to be loyal, as some had already left his camp.
