A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. George Agbakahi, has strongly dismissed claims attributed to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could become a “president for life” like Cameroon’s long-serving leader, Paul Biya.
Agbakahi, a South-East leader of the Tinubu Support Organization, described the comparison as politically motivated and historically inaccurate, insisting that Tinubu’s democratic credentials contradict such assertions. The controversy stems from remarks reportedly made by El-Rufai during a September 2025 meeting with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, where he allegedly warned that Tinubu could remain in power beyond constitutional limits if opposition forces fail to unite ahead of the 2027 elections. The presidency has since dismissed the claim as “baseless and absurd.”
Responding in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Agbakahi pointed to Tinubu’s role in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, particularly within the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which opposed the military regime of Sani Abacha. He noted that Tinubu’s activism, including a period of self-exile following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, places him among those who fought for democratic governance. He also cited remarks by activist and senator Shehu Sani, who previously claimed El-Rufai was not a frontline figure in that struggle.
Agbakahi further alleged, “Apart from being an adviser, El-Rufai was similarly doing contract with the military regime of Gen Sani Abacha,” as he questioned the credibility of the former governor’s comments.
Highlighting the administration’s policy direction, the APC chieftain argued that Tinubu has demonstrated commitment to reforms since assuming office in 2023, citing efforts to strengthen local government autonomy, increased allocations through the Federation Account Allocation Committee, and proposals for state policing. He also referenced key economic measures such as fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, and initiatives across infrastructure, education, agriculture, and technology.
He maintained that Tinubu’s leadership record makes comparisons with long-serving leaders like Biya “not only historically absurd but a direct insult,” adding that Nigerians are already benefiting from reforms under the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
According to him, “Tinubu is demonstrating the steady hand of a statesman focused on structural fixes. While the initial reforms were seemingly painful, the results—including a record trade surplus of $13.17 billion, a lower inflation rate of 15.10%, food inflation of 8.89%, increased foreign reserves of $50 billion, and a significantly reduced debt-service-to-revenue ratio—suggest a country that is finally turning the corner toward sustainable economic growth and prosperity.”
Agbakahi also linked the criticism to political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections, noting El-Rufai’s growing association with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which is seen by some analysts as a potential platform for opposition coalitions.
He further alleged that ongoing legal and political pressures may be influencing the former governor’s stance, stating: “It’s fascinating to observe how the timing of these critiques aligns with the legal pressures facing the critics themselves. When a public figure is grappling with a N423 billion corruption probe by their own state’s assembly, as is the case with El-Rufai, it becomes difficult to view their ‘moral’ outbursts as anything other than a strategic distraction.
“This is nothing but a classic political maneuver: creating a loud narrative shift to drown out the quiet, methodical progress of a silent achiever who has not only earned the admiration and support of Nigerians but has also demonstrated through his leadership that he most definitely deserves an additional four-year term come 2027.”
