POLITICS TODAY

By Comrade Musa Garba

Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai has always been a polarizing figure, but if he enters the 2027 political arena, one battle is already decided—he will face an all-out media backlash. Any party that embraces him must prepare for relentless press scrutiny, a consequence of his long history of hostility toward journalists.

A Legacy of Media Suppression

El-Rufai’s clashes with the media are well-documented. As FCT Minister, he ordered the eviction of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) National Secretariat in Abuja, signaling his disregard for press independence. But his tenure as Kaduna Governor was even more damning.

Under his watch, journalists in Kaduna operated under a climate of fear. Arrests, intimidation, and outright harassment were common, with the detention of journalist Luka Binniyat for reporting on insecurity serving as a chilling example. By 2017, the NUJ publicly declared Kaduna one of the most dangerous states for journalists, and Reporters Without Borders ranked Nigeria the worst country for press freedom in West Africa at the time—citing governors like el-Rufai as key offenders.

Why 2027 Will Be a PR Nightmare

Journalists have long memories. When 2027 approaches, the press will ensure that el-Rufai’s past treatment of the media is front and center. The news cycle will be unforgiving, with investigative reports, exposés, and opinion pieces relentlessly revisiting his record. No party can afford to wage a national campaign while battling a media landscape primed for resistance.

A Poisoned Chalice for Any Party?

El-Rufai may command political loyalty in some circles, but his reputation among journalists is a liability. Any party that fields or aligns with him is signing up for a full-blown media crisis. In politics, perception is everything—and once the press turns against you, the public is not far behind.

Garba wrote from Chikaji, in Sabon Gari LGA of Kaduna State