Presidency tells Sani to counsel El-Rufai over ‘life presidency’ claims

The Presidency has fired back at former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his alleged claim that President Bola Tinubu is plotting a “life presidency.”

El-Rufai made the statement on Friday evening during a solidarity visit from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The visit followed an incident at the inauguration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State, where El-Rufai was reportedly attacked by APC-aligned supporters.

Speaking during the visit, El-Rufai said “this government is trying to centralize everything instead of devolving powers to the lower levels but the sum total of this is that we are facing an evil of a large proportion in the history of this country that if we don’t come together to end this Tinubu administration in 2027, Tinubu will try to be our Paul Biya, he would be president for life, all the signs are there, this is how Paul Biya started.”

In response, the Presidency said El-Rufai “appears to need some help” then describing El-Rufai statement as “baseless,” “absurd,” and a clear sign of political desperation.

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga in a tweet on Monday accused El-Rufai of spreading falsehoods and engaging in what he called “hallucinations and political fabrications” aimed at discrediting the President ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to Onanuga, El-Rufai was unsettled by the large show of support President Tinubu received during his recent visit to Kaduna contradicting El-Rufai’s claims that the North had turned against the President.

Onanuga alleged that El-Rufai and his allies, now affiliated with a new political party, are engaged in a failed attempt to undermine Tinubu’s support base in the North.

Their efforts, Onanuga said, are “unattainable,” and “a mission doomed to fail.”

Taking a direct jab at El-Rufai, Onanuga advised incumbent Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani to intervene, stating, “Governor Uba Sani may wish to reach out to his predecessor, as El-Rufai could benefit from some professional counselling.”

Onanuga wrote, “Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai appears to need some help, especially given his recent unfounded claims and speculations about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“It is increasingly evident that El-Rufai has recognised the futility of attempts by his associates in his new party to prevent President Tinubu’s likely re-election in 2027. This plot is proving to be unattainable, a mission doomed to fail.

“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.

“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.

“President Tinubu is a democrat who does not intend to stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, when re-elected in 2027.

“Governor Uba Sani may wish to reach out to his predecessor, as El-Rufai could benefit from some professional counselling to steer him away from his recent hallucinations and political fabrications on Tinubu and 2027.”(Guardian)