Presidency dismisses El-Rufai’s claims on tenure extension as baseless

By Kunle Sanni –

The Presidency has dismissed claims by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that President Bola Tinubu is plotting to extend his stay in office beyond constitutional limits.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement posted on his X handle, described the remarks as “baseless” and indicative of the former governor’s lack of credible arguments against the Tinubu administration.

According to Onanuga, El-Rufai’s position appears to be influenced by his recent affiliation with a new political party and his discomfort over the warm reception President Tinubu received during a visit to Kaduna last Friday.

“Former Governor El-Rufai appears to need some help, especially given his recent unfounded claims and speculations about President Tinubu,” Onanuga wrote. “It is increasingly evident that he has recognised the futility of attempts by his associates in his new party to prevent the President’s likely re-election in 2027. This plot is proving to be unattainable—a mission doomed to fail.”

He emphasized that President Tinubu remains committed to democratic principles and would not remain in office beyond May 29, 2031, should he win a second term in 2027.

Onanuga also called on Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani to engage with his predecessor, suggesting that El-Rufai might benefit from “professional counselling” to move away from what he described as “political fabrications and absurd speculations.”

The presidential aide added that the Kaduna rally demonstrated the President’s strong support base in the North, rejecting suggestions that his popularity in the region was declining.