Public affairs analyst, Mahdi Shehu, has criticised the rising number of Nigerian public officials resigning from office and attributing their exit to ill health, insisting that such explanations are usually not true.
Shehu, in a post shared on 𝕏 on Tuesday, argued that the sickness narrative is often a cover-up for more serious political undercurrents that force officials out of office.
The commentator stated bluntly that health-related resignations frequently mask internal conflicts, pressure, or political manoeuvring.
According to him, “whenever a public officer in Nigeria resigns his appointment and gives sickness as an excuse, know that he is an outright liar.”
He maintained that such claims usually hide the real triggers behind their departure.
Shehu said resignations linked to ill health often stem from power tussles or coercion from influential figures.
“There is always something beneath that sickness excuse. It could be a hidden threat, a forceful exit, a clash with the cabals, or that his days are simply numbered,” he wrote.
He added that some officials bow out because the political environment becomes too toxic for them to continue defending falsehood or taking responsibility for controversial actions.
According to Shehu, certain public officeholders resign after foreseeing looming political or administrative collapse.
“Some foresee a crash and wish to escape,” he said.
He further alleged that, in some cases, resignations are tied to pre-arranged political deals where another individual has already been positioned to take over.
Shehu accompanied his post with photos of three recent high-profile exits:
– Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who resigned earlier in the year as APC National Chairman;
– Ajuri Ngelale, who stepped down as the President’s spokesman;
– Mohammed Badaru, who resigned as Minister of Defence.
All three cited health concerns as the reason for their departure
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]