L-r El-Rufai and Atiku
By Abdullahi Abubakar
Hours after former Governor Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai expressed disappointment over the silence of some of his former colleagues, friends and associates amid his ongoing legal and political challenges, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has appointed him as Deputy Chairman of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections.
El-Rufai was named alongside other members of the campaign council approved by Atiku, with former Borno State gubernatorial candidate Kashim Ibrahim-Imam serving as chairman. Senator Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager of the council.
Under the campaign structure, El-Rufai is expected to oversee high-level political coordination and engage key stakeholders across the country.
The appointment comes amid an ongoing investigation involving the former Kaduna governor by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
El-Rufai is also involved in separate legal proceedings, including a case filed by the Department of State Services concerning allegationsl linked to the interception of communications involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
While lamenting his ordeal, El-Rufai said he had stood by several people during difficult periods, sometimes at considerable personal cost, but noted that some of those he once supported had now chosen to remain silent.
The former governor made this known in a statement titled, “My Relationships and the Aftermath,” dated September 23, 2026.
El-Rufai said his relationships and decisions had been guided by his Islamic faith, Arewa upbringing, personal values and conscience, rather than expectations of recognition or reciprocity.
He said, “Throughout my life, I’ve tried to do my best for my co-workers and friends, my family, and people everywhere, based on my Islamic beliefs, my roots in Arewa, my personal values and, most importantly, my conscience.”
According to him, he had supported people and causes he believed in even when doing so came with personal sacrifices.
“Over the years, I have supported people and stood up for causes I believed in, even when things were tough and it cost me a lot personally,” he said.
El-Rufai stressed that his actions were based on his convictions and were not motivated by expectations of praise, gratitude or favours in return.
He, however, acknowledged that those he had supported were now free to make their own choices, including speaking out, remaining silent, distancing themselves from him or denying their previous relationships.
“In the same way, the people I have supported are now free to make their own decisions since the situation has changed.
Some may speak; others may remain silent,” he stated.
