Tinubu Could Become Nigeria’s Paul Biya If Citizens Fail To Resist In 2027 – El-Rufai

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has warned that President Bola Tinubu may attempt to hold onto power beyond his term if Nigerians do not rally against him in the 2027 elections.

El-Rufai, who issued the warning on Saturday evening while hosting former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in Kaduna, compared the situation to that of Cameroon’s long-serving leader, Paul Biya.

Atiku was in the state on a solidarity visit after El-Rufai alleged that thugs loyal to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) attacked the inauguration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“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 come together and end this Tinubu administration by 2027, Tinubu will try to be our Paul Biya. All the signs are there, this is how Paul Biya started,” El-Rufai said.

El-Rufai criticised the government’s handling of democracy, accusing Tinubu of concentrating power instead of promoting true federalism.

“Honestly, sir, to me, it is even a disgrace. I mean, for people to behave the way they are behaving, it means that all the years of saying that we are for democracy and NADECO, all the claims that we are fighting for true federalism and so on — it was all a pretence, all fake again. Because this government (Tinubu’s administration) is trying to centralize everything instead of devolving power to the lower levels,” he said.

The former governor urged Atiku to take up a leadership role in uniting opposition forces ahead of the next general election.

He stressed that Nigerians were already losing patience with the APC government and were eager for change.

“You (Atiku) are our leader, you have done this fight before, you have fought the military, you have experience in democratic governance. And when you and Obasanjo were in charge of this country, no one was being harassed because he had a different political view, never, not once,” El-Rufai said.

“Even President Buhari, with his military background, never did that, and here we are facing full-fledged civilians, but they are worse than any military regime we’ve ever had. Your call that we must unite is a timely one.

“I think the people of Nigeria have made up their minds that APC must be voted out. Nigerians are looking forward to his (Tinubu’s) ouster.

“We must provide the leadership and the unity of purpose that we have talked about, and then I am sure with your leadership, forbearance and diplomatic skills of bringing people together, I am sure we will reach the promised land.”

In his response, Atiku commended el-Rufai’s boldness and assured him that opposition leaders remain committed to working together to challenge Tinubu’s administration and ensure change through democratic means.

KanyiDaily recalls that Nasir El-Rufai recently criticized President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, calling it a joke and lacking the competence needed to address Nigeria’s problems.