By Jane Okafor, Abuja
A former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of plotting to stay in office in perpetuity.
El – Rufai argued that the recent actions by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in parts of the country are already pointers to the fact that Tinubu planing to remain in office for life.
He also further took a swipe at the President and his claim to being a democrat, describing him as a fake democrat.
The ex – governor made this known when he received former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja at the weekend over the recent face – off that ensued during a meeting of the opposition party in Kaduna.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said that Tinubu intended to take after some sit-tight African leaders, including Paul Biya of Cameroon who have failed to vacate their seats after spending decades in power.
el-Rufai specifically intention in Nigeria is akin to Cameroon’s Paul Biya, who has been the country’s leader for nearly 43 years.
“Honestly, to me, it’s a disgrace, I mean, for people to behave the way they are doing. So it means that all the years of saying we are pro-democracy, NADECO, it was all pretence, it was all fake. And all the claims that we are fighting for true federalism and so on, it’s all fake.
“Because this government is trying to centralise everything instead of devolving power to the lower levels. So 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 all come together and end this Tinubu administration by 2027, Tinubu will try to be our Paul Biya.
“He will stay, he will be president for life. All the signs are there. This is how Paul Biya started. All the signs are there. So we don’t have a choice,” el-Rufai maintained.
He called on Atiku to mobilise Nigerians to ensure that Tinubu does not return to power in 2027.
“You are our leader, you have done this fight, you have fought the military, you have experience in democratic governance, and when you and Olusegun Obasanjo were in charge of this country, no one was imprisoned because he had a different political view.
“Even President Muhammadu Buhari with his military background never did that. And here we are, we are facing full-fledged civilians. But they are worse than any military regime we have ever had. Your call that we must unite is a timely one,” the former minister emphasised.
According to him, Nigerians are looking up to the ADC to provide leadership that will see the removal of the government led by the APC at the centre.
“I think the people of Nigeria have made up their minds that this government must go, APC must be voted out. What the people of Nigeria are looking forward to is us. We must provide the leadership and the unity of purpose that you talked about.
“I’m sure with your leadership, with your forbearance, and your diplomatic skills of bringing people together, I’m sure we will reach the promised land. That’s it for me,” el-Rufai said.
Responding, Atiku saluted el-Rufai for being fearless, agreeing with him on the need for unity among the ranks of the opposition.
“Anyway, I know you are not the kind of person who is scared that we will not confront this situation.The more reason why we should come together to confront this situation headlong and make sure that, one, it doesn’t happen anymore during the remaining part of this administration. And secondly, like you said, we will send them out by 2027. And not through anything else but through the ballot box,” he stated.
But a Presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, said Nasir El – Rufai needs help to steer him away from wild imaginations.
Describing Tinubu as a true democrat, Onanuga appealed to Governor Uba Sani to reach out to his predecessor and give him some professional counselling to so as to steer the former FCT Minister away from his recent hallucinations and political fabrications on Tinubu and 2027.
Onanuga said, “Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai appears to need some help, especially given his recent unfounded claims and speculations about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is increasingly evident that El-Rufai has recognised the futility of attempts by his associates in his new party to prevent President Tinubu’s likely re-election in 2027. This plot is proving to be unattainable, a mission doomed to fail.
“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.
“In response, he resorted to spreading further unfounded stories, including the claim that President Tinubu intends to become a “life president” after 2027—a speculation that is baseless and absurd.
“President Tinubu is a democrat who does not intend to stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, when re-elected in 2027.
“Governor Uba Sani may wish to reach out to his predecessor, as El-Rufai could benefit from some professional counselling to steer him away from his recent hallucinations and political fabrications on Tinubu and 2027.”
