Why El-Rufai, others plan against Tinubu-President

The presidency was alleged on Monday that the former Governor of the State of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, and other opposition elements planned to fight the President of Bola Tinubu, because they were ruled out by the current government.

In a post on his X grip, a special advisor to information and strategies to the President, Bayo onanuga described the involvement of El-Rufai in an ongoing plan to shift the president in the 2027 election as a contradictory.

He remembered that the former governor had previously argued that four years were not enough for any leader to make significant changes in governance in complex countries such as Nigeria.

He stressed that President Tinubu had achieved significant progress within two years in the office, especially in the economy.

Onanuga wrote: “In contrast to political and people who have been achievers who were once the Governor in Anambra, Rivers and Kaduna, President Tinubu and his team have implemented significant changes in our country for the past two years.”

Also read: ‘Four years is not enough to overcome Nigeria’s problems,’ El-Rufai Faults Obi, Amaechi’s one time promise

He mentioned several economic indicators to support his claim, noting that foreign reserves have reached the highest 44 months while the Nigerian stock market has created more than N26 trillion in new wealth, and the index of all shares has increased from 53,000 points to more than 140,000.

The President’s Assistant believes that the government has aligned the exchange rate, recorded four consecutive months from the decline in inflation, and raised the State Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by N103.5 trillion in two years.

He also pointed to the balance of payment surplus and welfare policies, such as national education loan funds (Nelfund) for students and cash transfer to Nigeria which is vulnerable.

Onanuga emphasized that the state and local governments have benefited significantly from increasing federal allocations that allow them to expand capital projects and create jobs.

“Our national income has grown extraordinary and will set a new record this year and next year when tax reform takes off. Countries and local councils now get more money from the center, allowing them to fund capital projects and create more jobs. Governors say they have never done it well,” he added.

The President’s assistant, who described those who encourage the transfer of Tinubu as “political refugees and irrelevant,” insisting that such efforts will fail.

He also vowed that El-Rufai’s statement would be used to fight him during the election campaign.