The Presidency has replied former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who claimed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to perpetuate himself into a life President.

When El-Rufai met with former Vice president Atiku Abubakar at the weekend, the former governor said the signs are there that President Tinubu wants to turn himself into Paul Biya who has held on to power since assuming office in 1982.

He said all the Democratic credentials of the president were “fake” as the present administration was already tilting towards totalitarianism.

But in a reaction, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said “President Tinubu is a democrat who does not intend to stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, when re-elected in 2027.”

Onanuga who inferred that the African Democratic Congres (ADC) leader might need help, said the former Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister has recognised the futility of attempts by his associates in his new party to prevent President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, adding that “This plot is proving to be unattainable, a mission doomed to fail.”

He said El-Rufai is surprised by the recent support for the President during his visit to Kaduna State, saying, “This stands in stark contrast to his narrative that the region has abandoned the President.”

Onanuga noted, “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,” he wrote.