I Trust Atiku, I Believe He Means Well – Bashir El-Rufai

Bashir El-Rufai has publicly declared his trust in former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a surprising shift that has ignited fresh debate in Nigeria’s political circles.

The son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai made the admission on his verified X account on Wednesday evening. “I never thought these following words would ever come from me but I do trust @atiku. I believe he actually means well. Especially this time. Stakes are too high,” he wrote.

NaijaChoice News reports that El-Rufai’s change of heart followed Atiku’s exclusive Prime Time interview on Arise TV earlier that day. In the widely watched conversation, the ADC chieftain described the 2027 presidential election as his final attempt at the presidency and signalled readiness to step aside for any stronger consensus candidate, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi.

El-Rufai said he watched the interview closely and came away convinced of Atiku’s sincerity. He stressed that Nigeria faces urgent challenges that demand honest leadership, adding that the country cannot afford missteps at this critical period.

Political watchers note the significance of the endorsement. Bashir, who has in the past suggested Atiku should play the role of elder statesman rather than frontline candidate, now appears swayed by the former VP’s latest positions on coalition-building and national rescue.

The development comes as opposition forces, including elements from APC, PDP and LP, intensify talks under the ADC platform. With economic pressures and insecurity still dominating public discourse, many Nigerians are eyeing 2027 as a defining moment.

El-Rufai urged citizens to focus on leaders showing genuine commitment to the people’s interest. He described the current stakes as too high for anything less than decisive action.

The post has already drawn mixed reactions online, with some hailing it as a sign of maturing opposition unity while others question the sudden alignment between the El-Rufai family and Atiku.

As the countdown to 2027 begins in earnest, statements like Bashir’s are expected to fuel more conversations about potential realignments ahead of the polls.