Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has declared his readiness to contest for the presidency of Nigeria.
In a tweet posted in Hausa on his verified X handle, the lawmaker stated: “A’a Takwara na. Ni ban butulci. Zan iya Presidency?” which translates to “I will run for the Presidency. I am not joking. Can I contest for the Presidency?”
The post, which has since been deleted following a heavy backlash from Nigerians online, triggered immediate criticism, with many netizens questioning his legislative performance and readiness for the nation’s highest office.
Critics, particularly on social media, pointed to his record as a first-term federal lawmaker, asking whether his achievements in Kaduna North justified a presidential bid. Some users also referenced his reputation for posting controversial statements online, only to delete them shortly afterwards — a habit that has led many to describe his social media behaviour as erratic or “bipolar.”
Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, is known for his outspoken nature on political and social issues. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2023 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As of the time of filing this report, the lawmaker has not issued any further statement on the deleted tweet or clarified his political ambitions for 2027.
