Former aide to President Bola Tinubu, Aliyu Audu, has said he resigned from his position to fully commit himself to opposing Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general election.
Audu, who served as the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, made this known during a live interview on Sunrise Daily, a political talk show aired on Channels Television on Monday, June 16, 2025.
Speaking openly about his reasons, Audu noted that his decision came from a personal conviction. According to him, remaining in the government while disagreeing with its direction would go against his beliefs.
“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… Even if the future is uncertain, I would rather face an uncertain future than be certain about an immoral today,” he said during the broadcast.
Audu expressed concerns about the path the current administration is taking, saying it has shifted from its original promises. He pointed out that the government seems more interested in political revenge than building national unity.
He also brought attention to the president’s alliance with the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Audu admitted that the partnership had political value during the 2023 campaign, but now sees it as questionable.
“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… We were to unite the country and relieve the country as a people in victory,” he said.
Audu recalled how President Tinubu once stood against former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s political hold over the Southwest, but now believes Tinubu is using similar tactics himself.
He noted that the shift in focus from national progress to political dominance reminded him of actions taken by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during its time in power between 2003 and 2007. He said Tinubu, once a victim of such dominance, has now become part of the same system he fought against.
When asked about the president’s recent remarks suggesting Nigeria might move toward a one-party system, Audu said it played a part in his final decision to leave.
“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 said.
Audu ended the interview with a strong declaration: “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).”
