A close ally of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hayatudeen Lawal Makarfi, has said the former governor is preparing to contest the 2027 presidential election.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Makarfi made the disclosure on Tuesday while addressing journalists shortly after court proceedings involving the former governor.
Speaking on El-Rufai’s political future, Makarfi expressed confidence that the former governor would succeed President Bola Tinubu after the next general election.
“His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will hand over to His Excellency Mallam Nasir El-Rufai in May 2027, and the journey has started,” he said.
Court Grants El-Rufai Bail
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday granted bail to El-Rufai in a corruption case filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The court, however, ordered that the former governor remain in the custody of the anti-graft agency pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa admitted El-Rufai to bail in the sum of N200m with two sureties in like sum.
The judge described the conditions attached to the bail as “strict and extensive.”
According to the court, the former governor will remain in ICPC custody until all bail conditions are met.
The court also ruled that the two sureties must deposit their international passports with the court.
In addition, one of the sureties must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15, while the second must be a recognised traditional ruler.