By Sarah Sam Adda
The Presidency has dismissed allegations by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is plotting to make himself a “life president,” insisting the President has no intention of remaining in office beyond 2031 if re-elected in 2027.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday, described El-Rufai’s comments as “baseless, unfounded and absurd,” stressing that Tinubu remains committed to democracy and would vacate office on May 28, 2031, should he secure a second term.
El-Rufai, speaking over the weekend, had urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to mobilise Nigerians against Tinubu in 2027, accusing the administration of centralising power and warning that the President was on track to emulate Cameroon’s long-serving leader, Paul Biya.
In response, Onanuga said the former governor’s remarks reflected frustration over Tinubu’s growing popularity, particularly in the North, citing the rousing welcome the President received during his recent visit to Kaduna.
He added that El-Rufai’s outburst was evidence that attempts by political rivals to block Tinubu’s re-election were already faltering.
Onanuga further advised Kaduna Governor Uba Sani to engage with his predecessor, suggesting that El-Rufai “might benefit from professional counselling” to steer him away from what he called “hallucinations and political fabrications.”
