The Presidency has formally dismissed recent allegations by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El‑Rufai that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intends to remain in office indefinitely, should he win re‑election in 2027.
The controversy, which has stirred political tensions, centers around claims by El‑Rufai that Tinubu is consolidating power and undermining democratic norms, a narrative the Presidency insists is baseless.
According to a report by The Guardian on September 22, 2025, El‑Rufai made the remarks during an evening meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who had paid him a solidarity visit following a disruption at an event held by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State.
El‑Rufai, who said he had been attacked by supporters aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the ADC inauguration, used the occasion to voice serious concerns about the direction of governance under Tinubu.
During the meeting, El‑Rufai allegedly asserted that rather than devolving authority, the Tinubu administration is amassing power at the center.
He warned Nigerians that, unless checked in the 2027 elections, Tinubu’s re‑election could lead to him ruling for life, he drew comparisons to Paul Biya, Cameroon’s long‑serving leader.
Within days of the remarks, the Presidency responded sharply. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, took to social media to challenge El‑Rufai’s claims.
Onanuga described them as “baseless, absurd, and politically desperate,” arguing they amount to fabrications with no foundation in fact.
In his view, the former governor’s comments are driven by frustration, especially following what Onanuga described as a strong show of support for President Tinubu in Kaduna, contrary to El‑Rufai’s narrative that Tinubu has lost favor in the North.
Onanuga reaffirmed that President Tinubu, if re‑elected in 2027, has no intention of retaining power beyond the lawful term.
He emphasized that constitutional norms remain central to the administration’s governance, and that Tinubu is “a democrat” who would step down by May 28, 2031, if elected for a second term.
In what appears to be a pointed critique, Onanuga suggested that El‑Rufai’s change of political affiliation and his new alliances may be influencing his public comments.
He accused the former governor of engaging in rhetoric intended to damage Tinubu’s political standing ahead of the 2027 elections.
Onanuga even suggested that El‑Rufai might benefit from professional counselling, referring to the remarks as bordering on political hallucination.
Supporters of Tinubu have rallied behind the Presidency’s response, dismissing El‑Rufai’s warning as a tactic to sow doubt among potential voters.
They argue that Tinubu’s record of governance and his relationships within the APC and with regional stakeholders demonstrate that his re‑election prospects rest on policy outcomes rather than fear‑mongering.
Meanwhile, political analysts observing Nigeria’s evolving political scene note that the controversy underscores growing tensions as the 2027 elections approach.
Regions and political actors previously aligned under broad umbrellas are now being differentiated, with questions about loyalty, regional support, and political messaging becoming more visible.
Some constitutional experts have also weighed in, pointing out that Nigeria’s legal framework sets clear limits on presidential terms, making the idea of a “life presidency” legally impossible.
However, they caution that repeated allegations of such intentions whether credible or not can erode trust in democratic institutions if left unaddressed.Continue, Full, Reading>>>>
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