The Presidency has rejected claims by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai that President Bola Tinubu harbours plans to remain in power beyond the constitutional two-term limit.
El-Rufai, speaking on Saturday during a solidarity visit from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Kaduna, warned that Tinubu could attempt to emulate Cameroon’s Paul Biya, who has ruled since 1982 and recently announced plans to contest again at 92.
“We are facing an evil of such a large proportion in the history of this country that if we don’t come together and end this Tinubu administration by 2027, Tinubu will try to be our Paul Biya. All the signs are there, this is how Paul Biya started,” El-Rufai said.
Responding on Sunday night, Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the remarks as “unfounded speculations” and “political fabrications.” Writing on his X handle, Onanuga said El-Rufai’s comments appeared to stem from the “grand reception” President Tinubu received during his recent visit to Kaduna, which, he argued, demonstrated continued strong support for the president in the North.
“After reports of the grand reception President Tinubu received in Kaduna last Friday, El-Rufai was clearly surprised by the depth of support the President continues to enjoy in the North. This stands in stark contrast to his narrative that the region has abandoned the President,” Onanuga stated.
He dismissed suggestions that Tinubu would seek to extend his tenure, insisting the president remains committed to constitutional limits.
“President Tinubu is a democrat who does not intend to stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, when re-elected in 2027,” he said.
Onanuga also alleged that El-Rufai’s political allies were frustrated by the president’s growing acceptance nationwide, warning that their efforts to block Tinubu’s re-election bid were “doomed to fail.”
He further urged Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani to engage his predecessor, saying El-Rufai “could benefit from professional counselling to steer him away from his recent political fabrications on Tinubu and 2027.”
