Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has firmly rejected circulating reports attributing to him a statement that the Southern region of Nigeria should produce the president in 2027. In a detailed statement posted on his official X account on Monday, December 15, 2025, he described the claims as entirely fabricated and urged media professionals and the public to verify information before dissemination. The denial comes amid heightened political discussions on presidential zoning as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai emphasized that he never made any such remarks in speeches, interviews, or on his verified social media platforms. “My attention has been drawn to a trending fake news item alleging that I specified which region of the country should produce the president in 2027. This claim is untrue, despite its virality. I did not make such a statement in any of my speeches, interviews or social media posts. I maintain verifiable social media platforms where I speak my mind and express my personal views directly,” he stated.
He further clarified that sharing opinion articles by others on his platforms does not imply endorsement, adding, “It is also wrong and improper to attribute to me opinion articles written by other authors, even when I share such articles on my platforms as contributions to the national conversation.”
The former governor highlighted the dangers of misinformation in the current political climate, calling for greater responsibility from influencers and editors. “These clarifications are crucial as we confront both irresponsible politicking and the deliberate misuse of social media for the spread of fake news. The wilful attribution to me of claims I did not make by fake news platforms is no justification for treating such platforms with any seriousness,” El-Rufai noted.
He warned against the “unverified Olympics of fiction and fakery,” stating, “In this age of turmoil and falsehood, the obligation to verify information before posting or publishing has become more important than ever. In this instance, it appears that some senior editors ignored this duty. Society stands to lose when media leaders align with the most irresponsible actors on social media.”
El-Rufai reiterated his commitment to transparency, insisting that views attributed to him must come directly from his official channels. “I wish to reiterate that no views should be attributed to me unless I have explicitly expressed them on my official social media platforms or during interviews with reputable media organisations,” he concluded in the statement.
The rebuttal has sparked reactions across social media, with some users praising his stance against fake news while others question the origins of the initial viral claims.
