The Presidency has dismissed claims by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai that President Bola Tinubu may attempt to remain in office beyond constitutional limits.
El-Rufai had warned that Tinubu could emulate Cameroon’s Paul Biya, who has ruled since 1982 and recently announced plans to seek re-election at 92. Speaking on Saturday during a visit from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, El-Rufai suggested that if Nigerians fail to unite in the 2027 elections, Tinubu could be “in power for life.”
“The sum total of this is that 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,” El-Rufai had said.
Responding on Sunday via X, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, described the remarks as “unfounded speculations” and “political fabrications.” Onanuga suggested that El-Rufai’s comments were prompted by the warm reception Tinubu received during his visit to Kaduna last Friday, noting that the President continues to enjoy strong support in the North.
“In response, he resorted to spreading further unfounded stories, including the claim that President Tinubu intends to become a ‘life president’ after 2027—a speculation that is baseless and absurd,” Onanuga said. He reaffirmed that Tinubu is a democrat who has no intention of exceeding his constitutionally mandated term, which would end on May 28, 2031, if re-elected in 2027.
Onanuga also suggested that El-Rufai’s political allies are frustrated by Tinubu’s growing nationwide support, describing their attempts to prevent his re-election as “doomed to fail.” He further urged Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani to engage with his predecessor, noting that El-Rufai “could benefit from professional counselling to steer him away from his recent political fabrications on Tinubu and 2027.”
