Obono-Obla, ex-Buhari aide, slams El-Rufai over ‘foolish’ accusation against Tinubu
Former presidential aide and legal expert, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has lashed out at former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over a recent remark suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is plotting to become “President for Life.”
El-Rufai made the comment on Friday, during a meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who visited him at his residence in Kaduna. In his remarks, El-Rufai warned that unless Nigerians unite to vote out Tinubu in 2027, he may attempt to entrench himself in power indefinitely — drawing comparisons to long-serving African leaders like Cameroon’s Paul Biya.
“If we don’t come together and chase this evil out in 2027, we may end up with President for Life,” El-Rufai allegedly said during the meeting.
Reacting in a statement titled “Rebuttal to a Dangerous Falsehood”, Obono-Obla dismissed the claim as “foolish, ill-informed, and clearly laced with bad faith.” He accused El-Rufai of peddling a “hallucinatory and deceptive narrative” designed to sow discord and destabilise Nigeria’s political space.
“There is no constitutional pathway for any Nigerian President to become President for Life,” Obono-Obla asserted. “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), provides for a maximum of two terms for the office of the President—no more, no less. This is a firm legal boundary, not subject to whimsical reinterpretation or political manipulation.”
Expressing disbelief that such a statement could come from El-Rufai, Obono-Obla said, “That such a figure—intelligent, well-educated, globally exposed, and deeply experienced in governance—would make or endorse such a statement is not only shocking; it is deeply unsettling. I shudder at the thought.”
He warned that reckless rhetoric of this nature could erode public trust and derail democratic discourse. “This kind of baseless allegation distracts from the real work of governance and reform. Nigerians must remain vigilant and discerning, refusing to be drawn into the vortex of political sensationalism and manufactured outrage,” he said.
As of the time of reporting, the presidency has not issued an official response to El-Rufai’s remarks or Obono-Obla’s rebuttal.
Obono obla you are already settled by corrupt administration we are waiting for you to explain foolishness which you known the dunderheads are many and many More dunce are ready to champion what they knew and decide to keep quiet I mean you are settled with tax payers money I stand with El rufai in any political space