The Presidency has rejected allegations by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intends to become a “life president,” insisting that the President has no plan to remain in office beyond 2031 if re-elected in 2027.
El-Rufai, who spoke over the weekend, had urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to mobilize Nigerians against Tinubu, accusing the administration of centralizing power rather than devolving it to lower levels.
“If we don’t come together and end this Tinubu administration by 2027, Tinubu will try to be our Paul Biya, to be president for life. All the signs are there; this is how Paul Biya started,” El-Rufai said.
Responding, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga dismissed El-Rufai’s remarks as “unfounded claims and speculations.”
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He said the statements reflect El-Rufai’s frustration over the inability of his associates in his new party to prevent Tinubu’s likely re-election.
Onanuga highlighted the strong support President Tinubu continues to enjoy, particularly in the North, citing his reception in Kaduna last Friday.
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He accused El-Rufai of spreading “unfounded stories” suggesting Tinubu intends to be a “life president,” which he said contradicts the reality of the President’s continued popularity in the Northwest.
The Presidency further described the suggestion of a tenure extension as “baseless and absurd,” emphasizing that Tinubu is committed to democratic principles and does not plan to stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, if re-elected.
Onanuga also advised that El-Rufai could benefit from professional guidance to steer him away from what he described as “recent hallucinations and political fabrications” regarding Tinubu and the 2027 elections.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
