Bashir El-Rufai, one of the sons of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday again derided President Bola Tinubu as ‘Pablo’, mocking the first lady, Remi Tinubu, and praised Peter Obi, as a potential presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Mr El-Rufai, in a post, derided Mr Tinubu, calling the president by the first name of notorious Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, while predicting that Mr Obi would win the next election even before the first lady finishes preparing breakfast on election day. 

“Obi as a flag bearer with a strong Northern candidate would defeat Pablo on Election Day before our dear mother of the Nation — Aunty Remi finishes his breakfast around 12 noon,” Mr El-Rufai said.

Though lauding former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as “a force to be reckoned with”, Mr El-Rufai hinged his prediction of victory for the opposition on “the sheer force of Obi’s numbers and cult-like follower-ship brings a challenge”. 

Mr El-Rufai added, “His appeal across the youth and this younger generation is one profound aspect of his leverage.”

Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson for Mr Tinubu, did not immediately reply to Peoples Gazette’s request for comments.

Previously, Mr Bashir had said Pablo Escobar, a reference to Mr Tinubu over his narcotics dealing case in the U.S., would be making his biggest mistake if the Nigerian government arrests his father.

Similarly, his father has been attacking Mr Tinubu since they fell apart after his ministerial nomination was blocked by the Senate. The former Kaduna governor, in an interview, admitted supporting Mr Tinubu despite his Chicago cocaine and certificate scandals.

In June, the former governor berated Mr Tinubu’s government as an evil that would destroy Nigeria, which he claimed he contributed to bringing upon the country, adding that he was joining the coalition to oust Mr. Tinubu from office in 2027.

The politician once thanked God for not being part of Mr Tinubu’s government whenever he saw the administration inflicting more pain on Nigerians and getting simple governance wrong.