Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has firmly rejected claims circulating online that he declared the 2027 presidential race should be zoned to the southern part of Nigeria.

The former governor was recently quoted by an online platform as saying he would not seek the presidency in 2027 because it was “the turn of the South,” adding that his political ambitions would only resurface in 2031. The statement, allegedly shared via a post on X (formerly Twitter), quickly gained traction across social media.

However, El-Rufai has described the claim as completely false. In a statement released on Monday, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory dismissed the report as fabricated, insisting he never made such remarks either online or during any public engagement.

According to him, at no time did he endorse or oppose the idea of regional zoning for the 2027 presidential election. He stressed that any statement attributed to him suggesting otherwise did not originate from him.

El-Rufai further clarified that he communicates his personal opinions only through his verified social media accounts and during interviews with credible media organisations. He warned against attributing statements, commentary or political positions to him without direct confirmation from those platforms.

The former governor also cautioned against the growing trend of misinformation and politically motivated content online, noting that the misuse of social media has made it easier for false narratives to spread rapidly.

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He urged the public to verify information before sharing it and emphasised that views expressed by other writers, even when shared on his platforms as part of broader national discussions, should not be mistaken for his personal stance.