‘A Caged Lion Is Still a Lion’: El-Rufai’s X Account Urges Nigerians to Make Their Votes Count in 2027
A statement published on the X account of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has urged Nigerians to use their votes to express their views ahead of the 2027 general elections, invoking the image of a “caged lion” to describe the former governor’s political situation.
The statement, reported by Vanguard on Thursday, was attributed to Mohammed Bello Doka and called on Nigerians to mobilise peacefully and participate actively in the electoral process.
According to the report, the message urged voters to respond to what it described as the treatment of El-Rufai through the ballot box rather than violence.
“The lion is caged, but the lion is not dead. The people are not dead. The votes are not dead,” the statement declared, according to Vanguard.
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2027: A Call for Electoral Accountability
The message comes as political conversations intensify ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections, with governance, insecurity, economic hardship and political accountability expected to feature prominently in public debate.
The statement encouraged supporters to mobilise their neighbours, educate communities about voting procedures and protect their votes on election day.
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It also warned against violence, urging citizens to channel their grievances through peaceful political participation.
One striking passage reportedly urged voters not to allow food items distributed by politicians to determine their choices, saying: “Collect the rice. Collect the noodles. Collect the bread. You will need the energy on election day.”
The passage appears to distinguish between accepting campaign materials and surrendering one’s electoral choice in exchange for material inducements.
What the Message Means for Voters
Nigeria’s elections offer citizens an opportunity to assess political officeholders and candidates based on their records, promises and proposed policies.
The statement’s central message is that voters can use the ballot to communicate approval or disapproval of political leadership.
However, the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s legal cases and the political interpretations presented in the statement should be distinguished from independently established facts. Allegations of political motives remain allegations unless supported by verifiable evidence.
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As the 2027 election approaches, voters will have to assess competing political claims, examine candidates’ records and make their decisions based on credible information.
Source: Vanguard
