Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has launched his strongest attack yet on President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of plotting a life presidency.
El-Rufai alleged that Tinubu’s recent actions reveal he is not committed to democracy but instead determined to follow the path of African sit-tight rulers.
Speaking in Abuja during a solidarity visit from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, El-Rufai claimed that Tinubu is centralising power instead of promoting federalism.
He likened Tinubu’s ambition to that of Cameroon’s Paul Biya, who has ruled his country for over four decades.
El-Rufai, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), once supported Tinubu during the 2023 elections.
He mobilised northern support to secure Tinubu’s victory.
However, their relationship soured after El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination was blocked. Since then, he has become one of Tinubu’s harshest critics.
“All the years of claiming to be pro-democracy and NADECO were fake,” El-Rufai declared.
“This government is centralising power instead of devolving it. If we don’t unite and stop him, Tinubu will become Nigeria’s Paul Biya. He will remain president for life.”
The former Kaduna governor insisted that opposition unity is the only way to defeat Tinubu in 2027.
He urged Atiku to use his political experience to mobilise forces against the APC.
Atiku, in his response, praised El-Rufai’s courage.
He agreed that the opposition must come together to stop what he described as Tinubu’s creeping dictatorship.
Atiku warned that Nigeria’s democracy faces its greatest risk since the return of civilian rule in 1999.
He also condemned the alleged attacks on members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna, blaming them on APC-sponsored thugs.
Meanwhile, author and politician Reno Omokri declared that he will back Tinubu in 2027 despite his loyalty to former President Goodluck Jonathan. Omokri said he loves Jonathan deeply but will campaign vigorously for Tinubu’s re-election.
The clash of opinions highlights a growing divide within Nigeria’s political space.
While opposition figures like El-Rufai and Atiku accuse Tinubu of plotting to entrench himself in power, supporters like Omokri believe the president deserves a second term.
As 2027 draws closer, the battle lines are becoming clearer.
For now, El-Rufai insists that stopping Tinubu’s alleged life presidency plan is a matter of national survival.
The post Tinubu Under Fire as El-Rufai Claims He’s Pushing for Life Presidency first appeared on Diaspora Digital Media DDM.
