Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has resurfaced an old video of former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, sparking fresh debates on Nigeria’s political and religious landscape.
In the footage, El-Rufai defended his decision to run on a Muslim-Muslim ticket during the 2019 governorship election, declaring that even if the Pope were his running mate, Christians in southern Kaduna would still not vote for him. He claimed that polls at the time showed about 67 percent of Christians had already resolved never to support his candidacy.
The video resurfaced shortly after El-Rufai visited a church in Owerri, Imo State, an action many Nigerians interpreted as political desperation ahead of the 2027 elections. Reactions flooded social media, with critics accusing him of hypocrisy and opportunism, while others argued that his statement was taken out of context, insisting he was specifically addressing southern Kaduna politics.
Omokri shared the video via his X handle, stressing that El-Rufai’s own words exposed the political contradiction in his church visit. Nigerians responded with mixed emotions: some insisted his reputation was irreparably damaged, while others said his candor about Kaduna’s religious divide reflected hard realities.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai clarified during his visit to Imo that he has no preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 elections. He criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing it as “evil” and claiming it has driven over 30 million Nigerians into poverty. He further urged southeastern Nigerians to register to vote, noting low voter registration in the region.
The development has reignited conversations about religion, politics, and credibility in Nigeria’s democracy, with many branding El-Rufai’s church appearance a desperate bid to woo voters he previously dismissed.