Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed as false a viral claim suggesting he specified which region of Nigeria should produce the President in 2027.
The reports circulating on social media further insinuated that the African Democratic Congress chieftain might be supporting Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement released on Monday via his official X handle, El-Rufai described the report as “untrue” despite its widespread circulation. He emphasized that at no point has he made such remarks in speeches, interviews, or on any of 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 entirely false. I have never made such a statement in any speech, interview, or social media post,” he clarified.
El-Rufai underscored the importance of verifying information, especially in an era where misinformation and irresponsible politicking are rampant. He warned that society suffers when media professionals and influencers fail in their duty to fact-check before publication or sharing.
“The wilful attribution of false claims to me by fake news platforms is no justification for treating such platforms with credibility,” he said, urging all stakeholders to act responsibly to curb the spread of disinformation.
Highlighting the responsibilities of journalists and media leaders, El-Rufai added, “In this age of turmoil and falsehood, verifying information before posting or publishing has never been more crucial.
Society loses when media figures align with the most irresponsible actors on social media in what can only be described as an unedifying Olympics of fiction and fakery.”
He concluded by reiterating that no views should be attributed to him unless explicitly expressed on his verified social media platforms or during interviews with reputable media organizations.
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