Former Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Affairs, Aliyu Audu, has revealed that he resigned from the Tinubu administration to actively work against the president’s re-election bid in 2027.
Audu made this declaration during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, explaining that his decision was driven by principle and a vision for a more inclusive Nigeria.
“I think it’s a matter of principle and living for something greater than oneself. It’s about believing that Nigeria is not beyond fixing. It’s about knowing what loyalty is, to what and to whom loyalty should be absolute,” Audu said.
“Being bold enough to make a decision even if it comes at a personal cost. Even if the future is uncertain, I would rather face an uncertain future than be certain about an immoral today.”
He criticized the Tinubu-led government for what he described as prioritizing revenge over national unity, arguing that the administration has deviated from the promises made during the campaign.
Audu also referenced the political alliance between Tinubu and the current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, once seen as a necessary partnership but now one that raises questions.
“It is no news that there was some sort of relationship between the former governor of Rivers State, who is the current Minister of FCT, and the current president. In all honesty, there were many justifying reasons behind that because we were heading for the election and the only thing bigger at that time was ensuring we put our best foot forward,” he said.
“Clearly, from 1998 till date, there has been no better leader than the current president politically and administratively. It was a hard-fought battle and everything was against us. It also seemed like our party was against us.”
Audu lamented what he perceives as the president’s current approach to governance, accusing him of echoing past political tactics he once opposed, particularly those of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“But when it gets to a stage where our leading figure (the President) prioritises revenge over collective progress… We know what PDP did to the opposition between 2003 and 2007, specifically. We know what former President Olusegun Obasanjo did as president—how he muscled his way into taking the entire Southwest, which was manned by this man (Tinubu) at the time. It didn’t just stop there and it went on, but he (Tinubu) survived it,” Audu said.
Asked if Tinubu’s recent comments about building a one-party state influenced his decision to leave, Audu responded, “It confirmed it on one hand and on the other hand, it strengthened my resolve not to work for him in 2027.
“I couldn’t in good conscience remain in his government while plotting his removal. Because I will.”
He ended with a resolute pledge to unseat the president in the next election cycle:
“By God, we will remove President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. We will reinstall a leader chosen by the people, not imposed.
“It won’t be Emi lo kan — it will be Gbogbo wa lo kan (it’s everyone’s turn),” Audu declared.
