The Presidency has described as “baseless and absurd” allegations by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working to extend his stay in office beyond constitutional limits.

El-Rufai, speaking over the weekend, accused the president of “centralising power” and suggested that such a system could pave the way for what he called a “prolonged presidency.” He likened the situation to Cameroon’s long-serving leader, Paul Biya, and claimed Tinubu might attempt to become “president for life” if not voted out in 2027.

“All the claims we are fighting for, true federalism is all fake,” El-Rufai said, while branding the president a “fake democrat” and “pretender.”

In a statement on Monday, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga rejected the claims, dismissing them as “absurd speculation.”

“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,” Onanuga said.

He stressed that Tinubu is committed to democratic principles and has no intention of staying in power beyond the constitutionally allowed timeframe.

“President Tinubu is a democrat who does not intend to stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, when re-elected in 2027,” Onanuga stated.

He further argued that El-Rufai’s remarks reflected “frustration over political manoeuvres” as preparations begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections.