The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has condemned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s recent remarks on tenure extension, characterising them as baseless.
Onanuga further asserted that the comments revealed the ex-governor’s exhaustion of viable arguments against the Tinubu-led administration.
The Presidential aide stated on his X handle that El-Rufai’s remarks suggesting that President Bola Tinubu harbours plans to remain in power beyond constitutional limits are unfounded.
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… pic.twitter.com/CZi8So6F2b
— Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) September 21, 2025
Mr Onanuga remarked that El-Rufai, having recently affiliated with a new political party, appeared unsettled by the enthusiastic welcome President Tinubu received in Kaduna last Friday, an outcome that directly challenged his assertion that the North had distanced itself from the President.
“Former Governor El-Rufai appears to need some help, especially given his recent unfounded claims and speculations about President Tinubu.
“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,” Onanuga wrote.
He added that contrary to El-Rufai’s “hallucinations”, President Tinubu remained a democrat who would not stay in office beyond May 28, 2031, when he completes his second term if re-elected in 2027.
Onanuga further urged Kaduna State governor Uba Sani to reach out to his predecessor, noting that El-Rufai could benefit from “professional counselling” to steer him away from what he described as “political fabrications and absurd speculations”.
The presidential aide emphasised that the Kaduna rally clearly demonstrated President Tinubu’s strong and widespread support in the North, dismissing claims of declining popularity.