Malam Nasir El-Rufai, who used to be the Governor of Kaduna State, went to Chikun Local Government Area on Wednesday to campaign for Alex Adamu, who is running for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), before the special election on Saturday to fill the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency position.
Important political friends and leaders working together joined El-Rufai, such as Jafaru Sani, who leads the ADC in the North West; Bashir Sa’idu, who previously served as Chief of Staff; Hafsat Baba, who used to be in charge of Human Services and Social Development; Nasiru Maikano, who heads the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kaduna State; and other people from the party.
Even though the main leaders of the SDP kicked him out and told him he could not be a member for 30 years, El-Rufai is still a member of the SDP, according to the people in charge of the party in the state. Because he is a leader in the ADC, which is run by a group of parties, people wondered why he did not officially become a member, but officials said that people like El-Rufai and Peter Obi were allowed time to finish the special elections happening now while still representing their current parties.
But, word got out that the SDP in the state decided not to put forward anyone for the election, and instead chose to support the ADC candidate.
The campaign went to many towns in the area, such as Nassarawa, Kujama, and Rido, where many people who supported them gathered.
In a phone call, Hafsat Baba said that El-Rufai asked people to vote for ADC candidates everywhere in the state, highlighting that the group promised to set aside half of the party roles for young people and 35% for women.
Baba also mentioned that El-Rufai asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make sure everyone had a fair chance.
She said that people who lived there were very surprised and happy to see the former governor campaigning.
“Everywhere we went, lots of people came to see us. Right now, we are going to Nassarawa after visiting Kujama and Rido. Tomorrow (Thursday), Malam will be in Zaria for the elections in Zaria/Kewaye and Sabon Gari to show our candidates,” she said.
The Chikun/Kajuru election is likely to be one of the most watched competitions in Kaduna State, and will show how strong the ADC group is before future elections.
