Politics
Bashir El-Rufai Vows Never to Forgive APC, Threatens to ‘Terrorise’ Party Over Family Ordeal
Bashir El-Rufai Vows Never to Forgive APC, Threatens to ‘Terrorise’ Party Over Family Ordeal
KADUNA, Nigeria – Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has declared he will never forgive the All Progressives Congress (APC) over what he described as attacks on his family during its most vulnerable period, vowing to acquire political power specifically to “terrorise” members of the ruling party. In a series of incendiary posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Bashir declared that even if his father emerged from his ongoing legal ordeal and chose to forgive his perceived adversaries, his personal resolve would remain unchanged. “Even if my father emerges from his ordeal like Gandhi and forgives and forgets, I won’t,” Bashir wrote. He added: “I will acquire power somehow for the sole reason of terrorising those (APC) that attacked like wolves upon my family at our weakest. Friend or foe, it won’t matter”. Bashir, however, made a notable exception in his tirade, singling out Mahmud Ribadu as the only person who would be spared from his intended retribution. “Caveat: Only @mahmudribadu will be spared. That one is my biological brother. Everyone else is fair game,” he stated.
The explosive outburst comes amid an escalating family dispute between Bashir and his elder brother, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency. On Friday, Bashir launched a scathing social media attack on Bello, accusing him of substance abuse, hypocrisy, and betraying the family over the political rift between their father and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani. Bashir used deeply personal and expletive-laden language, making allegations about Bello’s fertility and accusing him of drug use. In one post, Bashir wrote: “I have a useless excuse for a brother, with his bony-ass face coated with an unknown white substance around his nostrils every night. That is your Member of the House of Representatives, representing a whole constituency, but he prefers alcohol and cocaine.” In response to an X user who questioned the public nature of the dispute, Bashir also disclosed that he keeps “guns and knives at my bedside.”
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The dispute is rooted in the broader political fallout between Nasir El-Rufai and Governor Uba Sani, his former political protégé. Tensions flared after Sani revealed that his administration inherited a massive debt profile of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from El-Rufai’s tenure, claims that deepened the political divide. While Bashir consistently criticised Governor Sani online, Bello initially remained loyal to Sani, maintaining his support for the governor. However, Bello subsequently defected from the APC to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in May 2026, joining his father, who had left the APC in March 2025. Bashir accused Bello of only returning to the family’s political fold after realising he was being sidelined by Sani, describing the move as self-serving and hypocritical. “He was stuck with Uba Sani until he realised he was being dumped, then suddenly remembered family loyalty and moved to ADC. Where was he before then? Purely serving his own interest,” Bashir wrote.
The El-Rufai family has faced intense scrutiny following Nasir El-Rufai’s prolonged detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The former governor, who governed Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, has been in custody for approximately 200 days over allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and fraud during his tenure. In April 2026, he was arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court on an amended nine-count charge filed by the ICPC. He is also facing separate charges relating to alleged wiretapping, brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a related development, Nasir El-Rufai has filed a N10 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the ICPC, its Chairman, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, alleging that the anti-graft agency denied his wife and son access to him during his detention. He alleged that officials of the Commission physically restrained and intimidated both his wife and son when they attempted to see him on July 7, 2026. The former governor is seeking an order compelling the respondents to grant him unhindered and reasonable access to his family members and legal representatives throughout the period of his detention.
The public clash between the El-Rufai brothers highlights fractures within one of northern Nigeria’s most prominent political families and underscores the deepening political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. While Bello remains a member of the House of Representatives, his move to the ADC signals the consolidation of the El-Rufai political camp under an opposition platform. Observers note that the outcome of Nasir El-Rufai’s legal challenges and the brothers’ ability to reconcile may shape the family’s future political influence in Kaduna and beyond.
Bashir El-Rufai Vows Never to Forgive APC, Threatens to ‘Terrorise’ Party Over Family Ordeal
Politics
2027: Tompolo Unveils 57 Tinubu Campaign Vehicles, Warns Lagosians Against 2023 Repeat
2027: Tompolo Unveils 57 Tinubu Campaign Vehicles, Warns Lagosians Against 2023 Repeat
High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has urged Lagos residents to prevent a repeat of the 2023 presidential election outcome in the state, as his political support group unveiled 57 campaign vehicles for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Tompolo, grand patron of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, made the call on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, during a campaign event in Lagos. He was represented by Kestin Pondi, who presented the vehicles to the movement’s state coordinators for grassroots mobilisation.
Tompolo urged supporters to intensify efforts ahead of the 2027 presidential election, stressing the need for a stronger campaign structure across Lagos communities.
“What happened in 2023 must not repeat. He must win convincingly in 2027,” he said through his representative.
He also encouraged eligible residents to take advantage of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Continuous Voter Registration exercise and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to participate in the election.
Tompolo argued that Tinubu’s experience as governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 should inform residents’ assessment of his leadership. He urged voters to support the president’s re-election, describing the administration’s policies as reforms that require more time to consolidate.
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The position reflects the campaign group’s support for Tinubu, although the effects of the administration’s economic and other policies remain subjects of public debate.
The unveiling of the 57 campaign vehicles is part of the movement’s strategy to expand its grassroots presence and take its message directly to households and communities ahead of the election.
The group has also organised campaign activities in other states. In Kano, it unveiled 50 vehicles in September, while its activities in Katsina and Taraba included the presentation of vehicles and the inauguration of state coordinators.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who spoke at the event, expressed support for the administration, saying Nigeria was moving towards economic stability under Tinubu’s leadership.
The campaign mobilisation comes as political parties and support groups begin strengthening their structures ahead of the 2027 general election.
In the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, then the Labour Party candidate, defeated Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State. Tinubu, however, won the national election and was declared president by INEC.
The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement’s latest initiative signals an effort by Tinubu’s supporters to strengthen their organisation in Lagos and secure a different result in the state in 2027. The vehicles are intended to support campaign activities and grassroots outreach as the political contest approaches.
2027: Tompolo Unveils 57 Tinubu Campaign Vehicles, Warns Lagosians Against 2023 Repeat
Politics
Oshiomhole Challenges Obi to Bible Oath Over Private Jet Controversy
Oshiomhole Challenges Obi to Bible Oath Over Private Jet Controversy
Former Edo Governor insists he witnessed Obi’s private jet use, calls for religious test to settle dispute
BENIN CITY — A fresh political controversy has erupted following claims by former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi frequently uses private jets despite public claims to the contrary.
Speaking in a recent interview on SYMFONI TV, Oshiomhole challenged Obi to a public oath-taking, proposing that both men place their hands on a Bible to settle the dispute.
“Obi is a Christian; I’m a Christian. Please bring a priest, bring your Bible, and I’ll put my hand on it, and let Obi put his hand on it,” Oshiomhole said, emphasizing their shared faith as the basis for the challenge.
The former governor alleged that he personally encountered Obi at the Executive Jet Wing in Lagos on at least two occasions. According to him, on one instance Obi was alone, while on another he was accompanied by his wife. Oshiomhole further claimed that he himself had flown a private jet from Benin and landed at the same time as Obi.
The remarks come amid a broader political exchange regarding Obi’s travel arrangements, which have been a subject of public debate. Obi’s media adviser, Dr. Valentine Obienyem, has since disputed Oshiomhole’s claims, pointing to a long history between the two politicians, including instances where Oshiomhole had previously praised Obi and invited him to campaign in Edo State.
The proposal for a Bible oath has sparked mixed reactions among political observers, with some describing it as an unusual but telling escalation of the ongoing verbal duel between the two prominent figures.
As of press time, neither Peter Obi nor his media team had responded directly to the specific challenge issued by Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole Challenges Obi to Bible Oath Over Private Jet Controversy
Politics
Obi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
Obi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
LAGOS — The political landscape ahead of the upcoming general elections was thrown into fresh turmoil yesterday following explosive allegations by the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who claims that his Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) counterpart, Peter Obi, is secretly working to install Atiku Abubakar as president. In a statement made available to journalists, Sowore alleged that Obi is not genuinely pursuing the presidency but is instead positioning himself for the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in an Atiku-led administration.
According to Sowore, the former Anambra State governor has been surreptitiously directing his teeming supporters to work for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, rather than campaigning for his own party. “Obi is positioning himself to become Atiku’s SGF,” Sowore stated bluntly. “He is secretly directing his supporters to work for the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku. This is a betrayal of the movement that trusts him.” The allegation suggests a complex political realignment where the NDC and ADC are allegedly operating in a synergistic, if covert, manner. Sowore’s claims imply that the Obi movement is being used as a vehicle to siphon votes and energy toward Atiku’s bid, with the promise of a high-ranking position in the cabinet as the reward.
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The accusation, if proven, could have significant implications for the opposition’s unity. Sowore, a vocal activist and former presidential candidate, has historically positioned himself as a critic of the political establishment, often accusing major party candidates of engaging in backroom deals that undermine the will of the electorate. The claim that Obi is eyeing the SGF role—typically the highest administrative office in the presidency—suggests that he may not be confident in winning the top seat, or that a consensus power-sharing arrangement has been struck behind closed doors.
The statement, however, raises questions about the current state of party coalitions. The article identifies Obi as the “NDC presidential candidate” and Atiku as the “ADC presidential candidate,” party labels that differ from their traditional political affiliations (Labour Party and PDP, respectively). This suggests a major realignment of political platforms in this election cycle. Neither the Obi campaign nor the Atiku campaign has issued an official response to Sowore’s allegations at the time of filing this report.
The news has sparked immediate debate on social media, with supporters of both camps expressing confusion and anger. Sowore’s supporters have praised him for “exposing the truth,” while Obi’s loyalists have dismissed the claims as a desperate attempt to remain relevant in a crowded political space. Political analysts suggest that if Sowore’s claims hold any weight, it could lead to a massive voter apathy among the youth demographic that has largely backed Obi’s previous bids.
As the election date approaches, the political arithmetic appears to be shifting rapidly, with accusations of secret pacts and strategic positioning becoming the order of the day. Sowore has vowed to continue exposing what he describes as the “unholy alliances” shaping the future of the nation.
Obi Positioning for SGF Role Under Atiku’s ADC Ticket – Sowore
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