The Presidency has dismissed as “baseless and absurd” the claim by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has plans to become a life president.
In a post on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1955, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the allegation was nothing more than panic propaganda.
Onanuga described Tinubu as an avowed democrat with no intention of exceeding the constitutional two-term limit.
“President Tinubu is a democrat who does not intend to stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, when re-elected in 2027,” Onanuga wrote, describing El-Rufai’s alarm as unfounded and a product of political hallucination,’’ he wrote on the handle on Sunday night.
The presidential spokesman said El-Rufai’s outburst reflected frustration over the strength of Tinubu’s support in the North, especially after the President’s grand reception during his recent visit to Kaduna.
He argued that the former governor’s narrative of northern disaffection with Tinubu had collapsed under the weight of reality.
“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 added that the claim of “life presidency” was nothing more than a desperate attempt to distract from the futility of efforts by the former governor and his new political associates to derail Tinubu’s anticipated re-election in 2027.
Onanuga further suggested that Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, should intervene to rescue his predecessor.
