Aliyu Audu, former Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Public Affairs, has publicly declared his intention to oppose the President’s re-election campaign in 2027, citing profound ethical and ideological objections to the current administration’s direction.
In remarks made during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Mr. Audu stated that his resignation from the administration was an act of principle, guided by a conviction that the current trajectory of governance is incompatible with his vision of an inclusive and morally grounded Nigeria.
“It’s about knowing what loyalty is—loyalty to ideals, to country, and to conscience,” Audu explained. “Even if the cost is personal, I would rather face an uncertain future than participate in a governance structure that, to me, has embraced certainty in immorality.”
Mr. Audu specifically criticised the administration for allegedly embracing policies rooted in political retribution rather than national reconciliation. He asserted that the federal government, under President Tinubu, has deviated significantly from its campaign-era assurances of equity, justice, and unity.
Furthermore, Mr. Audu questioned the continued political alliance between President Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. While acknowledging the tactical necessity of such an alliance during the campaign period, he expressed skepticism about its present utility and alignment with the administration’s stated goals.
Mr. Aliyu Audu, in elaborating on the rationale behind his resignation and opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s anticipated 2027 re-election campaign, drew historical parallels to political maneuvers employed during the Obasanjo administration, accusing the current President of replicating similarly hegemonic tactics under the guise of political consolidation.
Speaking during a live interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Mr. Audu remarked:
“It is no secret that the alliance between the then-Governor of Rivers State (now FCT Minister) and President Tinubu was instrumental during the pre-election period. At that time, it was a strategic necessity to unify forces in pursuit of electoral victory.”
He continued by acknowledging President Tinubu’s political acumen:
“From 1998 to date, no leader has demonstrated greater political and administrative skill than the current President. The 2023 campaign was a hard-fought battle. Despite widespread internal resistance, we succeeded in delivering victory—one that, ideally, should have ushered in national healing and unity.”
However, Mr. Audu sharply criticised what he views as a deviation from those ideals:
“What we now witness is a prioritisation of vendettas over the national good. We are re-enacting the very playbook that Tinubu himself once resisted during the Obasanjo presidency, particularly the effort between 2003 and 2007 to subjugate the Southwest. That same strong-arming, once condemned, is now being repeated.”
Responding to a direct question regarding the President’s recent remarks on establishing a one-party state, Mr. Audu said:
“It both confirmed my concerns and cemented my decision. I could not, in good conscience, continue to serve in an administration while actively working toward its removal. That would be an act of duplicity.”
He concluded with a resolute declaration of political intent:
“By the grace of God, we will remove President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. Nigeria deserves a leadership born of genuine consensus—not imposition. This will not be ‘Èmi l’ọkàn’ (It’s my turn); it will be ‘Gbogbo wa l’ọkàn’ (It’s everyone’s turn).”#newsafro_
