Presidency Rebukes El-Rufai, Dismisses “Life President” Claim as Baseless

The Nigerian Presidency has forcefully rejected allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who claimed that President Bola Tinubu is plotting to extend his stay in office indefinitely. The contentious remarks were made by El-Rufai during a weekend meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, where he warned that President Tinubu could transform into a “life president” if not removed from power in the 2027 general elections. El-Rufai’s comments likened the president to some of Africa’s long-serving leaders, including Paul Biya of Cameroon.

In a prompt and stinging rebuttal, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, took to his official social media account on Sunday night to describe the claims as “baseless and absurd.” Onanuga reiterated the President’s commitment to democratic principles, stating unequivocally that President Tinubu has no intention of serving beyond the constitutional two-term limit. He specified that the president would leave office on May 28, 2031, if he secures a second term in 2027.

The presidential spokesman suggested that El-Rufai’s recent criticisms were motivated by his “unsettled” reaction to the “grand reception” President Tinubu received in Kaduna just last Friday. According to Onanuga, this display of support contradicted El-Rufai’s own narrative that the president’s popularity in the Northern region was waning. The statement concluded with a sharp jab at the former governor, recommending that he “could benefit from professional counselling to steer him away from his recent political fabrications.” This exchange highlights the deepening political animosity between the former allies ahead of the 2027 election cycle.