The Presidency has dismissed former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai’s recent remarks as the desperate outburst of a man unsettled by President Bola Tinubu’s rising political profile.

Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Monday, described El-Rufai as “hallucinating” and in need of help, following his claim that Tinubu may seek to become president for life if Nigerians fail to vote him out in 2027.

Onanuga argued that the former governor’s comments were another failed attempt to discredit Tinubu, stressing that Northerners and Nigerians at large had continued to show love and support for the President—contrary to El-Rufai’s narrative that the region had abandoned him.

He insisted that President Tinubu is a committed democrat with no intention of remaining in office beyond the constitutionally permitted two terms, dismissing El-Rufai’s speculation as baseless and absurd.

“El-Rufai has clearly realised the futility of attempts by his associates in his new party to prevent President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

His suggestion that Tinubu wants to become a life president is unfounded and laughable,” Onanuga stated.

He further noted that Tinubu’s grand reception in Kaduna last Friday was proof of his strong northern support, urging Governor Uba Sani to reach out to his predecessor, who “may require professional counselling to steer him away from his recent hallucinations and political fabrications.”