(DDM) – Demola Olarewaju, a senior aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Digital Media Strategy, has revisited the power dynamics that shaped Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, crediting former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as the only northern leader who openly championed Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergence as president.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Olarewaju made the revelation during an interview on the Mic On Podcast, where he analyzed the behind-the-scenes maneuvers, regional sentiments, and elite alliances that influenced the outcome of the February 2023 polls.
According to him, while many northern politicians discreetly supported the idea of power rotation to the South, El-Rufai was the only one bold enough to make a public declaration that power must return to the southern part of the country, specifically to Tinubu.
“El-Rufai was the only one from the North who openly declared that power should go to Tinubu,” Olarewaju stated. “Others acted behind the scenes, but El-Rufai was firm and unambiguous in his support.”
Olarewaju explained that El-Rufai’s public stance was politically significant because it challenged the long-held perception that northern elites were only interested in retaining power in their region.
His boldness, he added, reassured southern political figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC) that Tinubu would not be betrayed by northern power brokers during the transition process.
He noted that this symbolic gesture helped to consolidate Tinubu’s legitimacy within the APC and boosted his chances among delegates and key stakeholders ahead of the party’s primaries.
Olarewaju also used the opportunity to draw a sharp contrast between El-Rufai and his principal, Atiku Abubakar.
He described Atiku as a democrat who prioritizes due process, internal party mechanisms, and inclusive leadership.
“Atiku Abubakar has always been committed to democratic ideals and party structures,” Olarewaju said.
“His influence across Nigeria stems from his consistent reputation for fairness and his wide political network.”
He emphasized that although El-Rufai’s political gamble paid off in 2023 by helping Tinubu secure northern validation, the long-term consequences of that decision, both for El-Rufai’s political relevance and for the power balance in northern Nigeria, remain to be seen as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Political observers believe Olarewaju’s comments reflect a growing debate within Nigeria’s political elite about loyalty, regional alliances, and the unpredictable nature of coalition politics ahead of 2027.
El-Rufai, who has maintained a relatively low profile since leaving office, has continued to generate public interest following his controversial ministerial screening saga and recent meetings with influential figures across party lines.
Analysts suggest that his ability to reposition himself politically could determine whether he remains an influential power broker or fades into the background as new leaders emerge from both the northern and southern blocs.
For now, Olarewaju’s remarks have reignited conversations about the real architects behind Tinubu’s victory, and the silent power struggles that could define Nigeria’s next political chapter.