ATIKU PICKED EL-RUFAI TO HONOUR HIS SACRIFICE

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By; Sunmola Ganiyat

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s decision to appoint former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman of his 2027 presidential campaign council was partly intended to recognise what he described as El-Rufai’s sacrifices.

Momodu, who serves as Deputy Director-General of the campaign’s Media and Communications Directorate, made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday.

Atiku on Thursday unveiled his campaign council, appointing Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman and El-Rufai as deputy chairman.

Explaining the appointment, Momodu said it was a way of recognising El-Rufai’s political struggles, which he described as politically motivated.

He also pointed to El-Rufai’s return to Nigeria despite concerns that he could face arrest, saying the decision demonstrated the former governor’s commitment to the country.

Momodu said El-Rufai could have remained outside Nigeria but chose to return despite knowing that he might be arrested.

El-Rufai is currently facing legal proceedings and has denied wrongdoing in the case. Momodu also criticised the bail conditions imposed on the former governor, describing them as excessive.

According to Momodu, El-Rufai’s political significance extends beyond his appointment to the campaign council. He claimed that the former governor played an important role in President Bola Tinubu’s emergence in the 2023 presidential election.

“If not for him, I’m sure President Bola Tinubu would not be in office today,” Momodu said.

He added that El-Rufai’s inclusion in the campaign structure reflected his political relevance and the potential role he could play as the ADC prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The campaign council also includes former APC National Chairman John Oyegun, Momodu, Dino Melaye and other political figures and party stakeholders.