The Northern Nigeria Minorities Group (NNMG) has strongly condemned former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, for his assertion that President Bola Tinubu is orchestrating a plot to extend his presidential tenure beyond the constitutionally stipulated eight years. In a statement issued by the group's convener, Chief Jacob Edi, who also holds the title of Kakaki Bassa-Nge, El-Rufai's comments were characterized as "reckless, malicious, and a direct affront to democracy."

El-Rufai had recently suggested that President Tinubu might attempt to emulate Paul Biya of Cameroon, who has held office for several decades. These remarks were made during a visit by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to El-Rufai’s residence, where Abubakar had come to offer condolences following an attack during the inauguration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna last month.

In response, the northern minorities group stated its firm belief that the former governor, now effectively labeled as a "content creator" by the group, is motivated by "malice, bitterness, frustration, and desperation." The NNMG harshly criticized El-Rufai's political trajectory, highlighting what they described as a consistent pattern of betrayal and opportunism. They questioned his true motives and credibility, proposing that his recent outspokenness was a result of personal disappointment stemming from his non-inclusion in President Tinubu’s ministerial cabinet. The group posited that if El-Rufai had been appointed, he would likely not have made such "wild allegations," labeling his claims as nothing more than "sour grapes" from an individual who feels politically irrelevant.

The NNMG further accused El-Rufai of a persistent habit of inciting political division for his own benefit. They asserted that he "thrives on heating up the polity with lies when his personal ambitions are not served" and deliberately attempts to create unrest and panic by misrepresenting the current administration's intentions. The group underscored the clarity of the Nigerian Constitution regarding presidential tenure limits, emphasizing that no amount of propaganda could override the rule of law. They declared that "The 1999 Constitution is crystal clear. No amount of El-Rufai’s fear-mongering can alter that reality," and denounced his allegations as "dangerous, destabilizing, and a threat to national unity."

Concluding its statement, the NNMG issued a three-point declaration. Firstly, they demanded that El-Rufai retract his comments and issue a public apology for attempting to mislead the public and incite political tension. Secondly, they urged Nigerians to dismiss his statements as the "outbursts of a rejected politician." Finally, the group called upon security agencies to monitor individuals like El-Rufai closely, cautioning that such comments could trigger unnecessary national tension. The NNMG affirmed that the minorities of Northern Nigeria would resist any efforts, whether through tenure elongation schemes or by bitter politicians sowing confusion, to undermine Nigeria's democracy. The group encouraged all Nigerians to maintain focus on fostering a stable and united country, free from political blackmail and distractions driven by personal vendettas.