El-Rufai’s endorsement for Tinubu reason he became President in 2023 – MURIC
*Says ex-Kaduna Gov “delivered presidency to Southerners'”
By KEMI KASUMU
MURIC claimed that El-Rufai’s endorsement of Tinubu helped galvanize northern political structures in favour of the eventual president.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has come to the defence of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, asserting that he played a pivotal role in securing the presidency for southern Nigeria and therefore deserves better treatment amid his current legal troubles.
In a press release issued on Monday, March 23, 2026, the group’s Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, argued that El-Rufai’s political influence and strategic mobilization were instrumental in the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 general elections.
According to the statement, MURIC had, as far back as 2021, begun advocating for a Yoruba Muslim president, citing what it described as longstanding socio-political marginalisation of Muslims in the South-West. The group said it actively lobbied and encouraged Tinubu to contest for the presidency and later sought northern political backing to actualise the ambition.
Akintola disclosed that MURIC, in collaboration with other Islamic stakeholders, reached out to El-Rufai, whom they described as a key northern power broker capable of rallying support across the region. He claimed that El-Rufai’s endorsement of Tinubu helped galvanize northern political structures in favour of the eventual president.
“El-Rufai boldly rejected attempts to retain power in the North and mobilised support for a southern presidency,” Akintola said. “He gave southerners the presidency and deserves better treatment.”
The group also highlighted El-Rufai’s public advocacy for power rotation, his role in influencing northern governors, and his participation in key campaign activities as critical contributions to Tinubu’s victory.
MURIC further maintained that the former governor’s current legal challenges are politically motivated, insisting that his case transcends judicial considerations and reflects broader political dynamics.
“We cannot, in good conscience, remain silent while El-Rufai remains behind bars,” the statement added. “We take responsibility for bringing him into the struggle, and we will not abandon him.”
The organization concluded by warning that it would be unjust if El-Rufai faces severe consequences while other politicians with pending cases continue to operate freely, stressing that “the truth must be told.”
