President Bola Tinubu has described as “baseless and absurd” the comment by the former governor of Kaduna State, Mr Nasir El-Rufai that he (Tinubu) would transmute into life president like Cameroon’s Paul Biya.
It is noteworthy that El-Rufai had last weekend made the remark when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja over the recent incident during a meeting of the opposition party in Kaduna.
After expressing his gratitude to Atiku for the visit, El-Rufai declared that the president had perfected plans to perpetuate himself in office beyond 2031 like some sit-tight African leaders who have failed to vacate their seats after spending decades in power.
He said some recent actions by the current All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration were pointers to his suspicion, especially the recent attacks on members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in parts of the country
“Honestly, to me, it’s a disgrace, I mean, for people to behave the way they are doing. So it means that all the years of saying we are pro-democracy, NADECO, it was all pretence, it was all fake. And all the claims that we are fighting for true federalism and so on, it’s all fake.
“Because this government is trying to centralise everything instead of devolving power to the lower levels. So 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 all come together and end this Tinubu administration by 2027, Tinubu will try to be our Paul Biya.
“He will stay; he will be president for life. All the signs are there. This is how Paul Biya started. All the signs are there. So we don’t have a choice,” el-Rufai stated.
He urged Atiku to deploy his experience to ensure that there’s serious mobilisation to make sure that Tinubu does not return to power in 2027.
“You are our leader; you have done this fight, you have fought the military, you have experience in democratic governance, and when you and Olusegun Obasanjo were in charge of this country, no one was imprisoned because he had a different political view.
“Even President Muhammadu Buhari with his military background never did that. And here we are, we are facing full-fledged civilians. But they are worse than any military regime we have ever had. Your call that we must unite is a timely one,” he added.
The former Kaduna governor further said Nigerians had tipped the ADC to provide the leadership that will oust the APC-led government in 2027.
“I think the people of Nigeria have made up their minds that this government must go, APC must be voted out. What the people of Nigeria are looking forward to is us. We must provide the leadership and the unity of purpose that you talked about.
“I’m sure with your leadership, with your forbearance, and your diplomatic skills of bringing people together, I’m sure we will reach the Promised Land. That’s it for me,” el-Rufai said.
In response, the presidency dismissed El-Rufai’s speculation, saying he was jealous of the grand reception Tinubu received in Kaduna during last Friday visit as well as the depth of support the president continues to enjoy in the north.
Presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga, who stated this in his X post, @aonanuga1956, said described Tinubu as a “democrat” adding that he “does not intend to stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, when re-elected in 2027.”
He suggested professional counseling for El-Rufai “to steer him away from his recent hallucinations and political fabrications on Tinubu and 2027.”
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.”
