Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has warned that President Bola Tinubu could attempt to stay in power permanently if Nigerians fail to resist him. Comparing Tinubu to Cameroon’s Paul Biya, he said: “All those years, when you heard him saying we are for democracy, were all fake. The claims that he was fighting for true federalism were all lies. What we are seeing today is a government that wants to centralise everything.
“The sum total is that we are now facing an evil of such a large proportion in the history of this country. If we do not come together and put an end to this administration in 2027, Tinubu will try to stay in power permanently. He will be president for life.”
The Presidency rejected the claim. Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga described it as “panic-driven propaganda,” insisting: “President Tinubu is a democrat who does not intend to stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, when re-elected in 2027.” He added: “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.”
The Lagos APC also dismissed the allegation, calling it “mischievous” and “reckless.” Party spokesman Mogaji Seye Oladejo said: “To now suggest that the same man who resisted tyranny is scheming to perpetuate himself in office is both laughable and shameful. Tinubu has consistently defended constitutionalism. At no time in his long public service record has he ever supported tenure elongation.”
While some Nigerians share El-Rufai’s fears, others disagree. Katsina-based educationist Dr. Sabiu Ibrahim argued: “El-Rufai is correct to have warned that unless Nigerians come together to stop Tinubu in 2027, he was on his way to becoming a life president in Nigeria.” But social scientist Clement Olaniyi countered: “Has he forgotten that it was Tinubu who ensured that local governments now have autonomy? He should also remember that the President has thrown his weight behind the creation of state police. This cannot be the character of somebody who wants to centralize power.”
