Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has warned that President Bola Tinubu risks becoming Nigeria’s version of Cameroon’s long-serving leader, Paul Biya, if not voted out in the 2027 general elections.
El-Rufai, who hosted former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar at his residence in Kaduna on Thursday, said the Tinubu administration had betrayed the democratic ideals it once claimed to uphold. Atiku’s visit was to commiserate with him following last month’s attack during the inauguration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state.
‘A Disgrace to Democratic Ideals’
El-Rufai accused the APC-led government of centralising power instead of promoting true federalism.
“Honestly sir, to me, it is a disgrace. For people to behave the way they are behaving means that all the years of saying we are for democracy and NADECO, all the claims that we were fighting for true federalism—it was all a pretense, all fake. This government is trying to centralise everything instead of devolving power to the lower levels,” he said.
The former governor argued that Tinubu’s actions represent “an evil of large proportion” in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The Paul Biya Comparison
Warning that Tinubu could attempt to cling to power beyond reasonable limits, El-Rufai drew parallels with Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982.
“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,” he cautioned.
El-Rufai further alleged that the Tinubu administration poses a greater threat to democratic governance than any past military regime in Nigeria.
