‘Power-Hungry Politicians’ Plotting to Remove Tinubu, Presidency Fires Back at El-Rufai
ABUJA, FCT – September 2, 2025 – The Presidency has issued a blistering response to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, describing him and other critics calling for President Bola Tinubu’s removal as “power-hungry politicians” and a “gang of political desperados.”
The sharp rebuke, delivered by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, came in reaction to El-Rufai’s damning prediction in a television interview that President Tinubu has “no pathway to win” the 2027 presidential election. This public feud between two former close allies signals a significant crack within the broader ruling camp and marks an aggressive early start to the 2027 political battle.
El-Rufai’s Provocation: “Tinubu Will, at Best, Be Third”
Speaking on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” programme on Sunday night, El-Rufai delivered a stark and confident assessment of President Tinubu’s re-election chances, dismissing the power of incumbency.
Key assertions from the former governor include:
A Clear Prediction: El-Rufai stated that in a worst-case scenario, the 2027 election would go to a runoff, and “Bola Tinubu will not be on the ballot for the runoff because he will, at best, be third.”
Data-Backed Claim: He insisted his position was based on rigorous analysis, stating, “I have done the maths, I have done the analysis; he cannot win.”
The 2015 Parallel: He advised President Tinubu to consult with former President Goodluck Jonathan to understand how an incumbent with control of money and state institutions could be defeated, arguing that the current political climate is “worse” than it was in 2015.
Electoral Vulnerability: El-Rufai pointed out that even in 2023, Tinubu failed to win his home state of Lagos, while he (El-Rufai) was unable to deliver Kaduna State for the President, suggesting his support base is not as solid as perceived.
The Presidency’s Counter-Attack: A Defence of Tinubu’s Record
In a swift and fiery rebuttal via his official X handle, Bayo Onanuga accused El-Rufai of hypocrisy and political desperation, framing his comments as part of a coordinated plot to destabilize the government.
Onanuga called out what he saw as a contradiction, stating, “Nasir El-Rufai confesses here that four years is not enough for a political office holder to make ‘meaningful changes’. Yet he is at the forefront of the gang of political desperados plotting President Tinubu’s ouster, just two years into his tenure.”
He contrasted the President’s performance with that of “political laggards and underachievers,” before launching into a robust defence of the administration’s achievements over the past two years.
Touting a Record of “Meaningful Changes” The Presidency argued that, contrary to El-Rufai’s claims, the Tinubu administration has made significant progress. Key achievements cited by Onanuga include:
Economic Growth: A “phenomenal wealth creation” in the stock market, with the All-Share Index (ASI) skyrocketing from 53,000 to over 140,000 points and creating over N26 trillion in additional wealth.
Macroeconomic Stability: Increased foreign reserves, the harmonisation of the foreign exchange rate, and four consecutive months of declining inflation.
Social Welfare & Education: Successful reforms including the launch of the student loan scheme through NELFUND and the implementation of direct cash transfers to vulnerable households.
A Widening Chasm Ahead of 2027
This public war of words is more than just a political disagreement; it represents a significant schism. El-Rufai, once a key campaigner for Tinubu, is now openly positioning himself as a formidable opponent. His strategy of invoking the 2015 election is a clear attempt to frame the current administration as similarly vulnerable to a united opposition.
The Presidency’s decision to respond directly and forcefully indicates it views El-Rufai’s comments not as mere criticism, but as the opening salvo in a deliberate campaign to undermine President Tinubu’s government ahead of the 2027 polls. As battle lines are drawn, this clash sets the stage for a turbulent and intensely competitive political season.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
