.jpeg)
By: Manoah Kikekon
 |
| Bashir El-Rufai, Bola Tinubu and Nasir El-Rufai |
Bashir El-Rufai, the outspoken son of former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, has stirred fresh controversy by referring to President Bola Tinubu as “Pablo” in a social media post while openly endorsing Peter Obi for the 2027 presidential election.
The remark, a direct reference to the infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, has sparked outrage among supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a now-viral post on Thursday, Bashir El-Rufai mocked both President Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu, suggesting that Obi would win the 2027 election before the First Lady finishes preparing breakfast.
“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,” he wrote. The statement has further deepened the political rift between the El-Rufai family and the Tinubu administration.
While acknowledging former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a political heavyweight, Bashir argued that Obi’s massive youth support and grassroots appeal make him the strongest opposition candidate. “His appeal across the youth and this younger generation is one profound aspect of his leverage,” he added. This endorsement comes amid growing speculation about potential opposition alliances ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Presidency has yet to respond to Bashir’s latest remarks. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s media aide, did not immediately reply to inquiries from *Peoples Gazette*. However, political analysts suggest that the comment could escalate tensions between the Tinubu camp and Nasir El-Rufai, who has been increasingly critical of the administration since his ministerial nomination was rejected by the Senate last year.
This is not the first time Bashir has courted controversy with his remarks about Tinubu. Earlier, he warned that arresting his father would be the government’s “biggest mistake,” alluding to Tinubu’s past narcotics case in the U.S. Nasir El-Rufai himself has publicly criticized the Tinubu administration, describing it as “evil” and vowing to join forces to unseat him in 2027.