Presidency denies El-Rufai’s “Life President” claim about Tinubu

Lanre Idris Mustapha

The Presidency has strongly rejected claims made by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai that President Bola Tinubu intends to extend his stay in office indefinitely, beyond constitutional limits.

In a statement posted on X by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the Presidency labelled the idea that Tinubu plans to be a “life president” after 2027 as “baseless,” “absurd,” and political speculation.

Onanuga noted that reports suggested El-Rufai was unsettled by the strong reception Tinubu received during a recent visit to Kaduna, contradicting El-Rufai’s narrative that the North had abandoned the President.

“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 come together … Tinubu will try to be our Paul Biya,” El-Rufai had said, referencing Cameroon’s long-serving president.

The Presidency countered that Tinubu remains committed to democratic norms and will not stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, even if re-elected in 2027.

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Lanre Idris Mustapha has years of experience writing social research and poetry blended with public relations strategies. He currently covers geopolitical and climate discourse with lens.ng.
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