Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has dismissed as baseless and absurd claims by former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai that Tinubu intends to remain in office for life.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking on Saturday, El-Rufai compared Tinubu to Cameroon’s Paul Biya, who has ruled since 1982 and recently declared interest in another term at 92.
The former Governor warned Nigerians to unite against Tinubu’s alleged bid to perpetuate himself in power beyond 2027.
Responding in a post on X on Sunday, Onanuga accused El-Rufai of unfounded claims and speculations, adding that Tinubu remains a democrat committed to due process.
He said, “President Tinubu is a democrat who does not intend to stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, when re-elected in 2027.”
Onanuga also said that El-Rufai’s position may have been influenced by the grand reception Tinubu received during his recent visit to Kaduna, which contradicted the former Governor’s claim that the north had abandoned him.
The presidential aide added that El-Rufai’s associates in his new political camp have realised their efforts to block Tinubu’s re-election are unattainable and a mission doomed to fail.
He further remarked that El-Rufai may need professional counselling to steer him away from his recent hallucinations and political fabrications about Tinubu and 2027.
