“I Quit As Tinubu’s Aide To Sack Him From Office” – Fmr. Aide

By Adesina Soyooye

Aliyu Audu did an uncommon thing in Nigeria. In doing that, he shocked not a few people. Until he shocked Nigerians, Audu was a Presidential  Aide. He was Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Affairs.

But a couple of days ago, the quit the office. He said he no longer wanted to be President Tinubu’s Adviser. He has lost interest he said. At the time, he gave no reasons why. So, most people thought he had lost in the political intrigues at the Villa where dogs have been known to eat dogs.

But no. This other day, he inflicted another shock on Nigerians. He said he resigned from the job to fight his Principal, the President. He said he is focused on denying the President a second term in office. He said he was joining the opposition, any coalition to sack the President. Meaning that President Tinubu has been sleeping with his enemy.

And what are his reasons for focusing on sacking the President in 2027?

He didn’t hide his reasons. And he chose a respected  medium – Channels Television – to say why.

Speaking, he said his decision to resign so as to assist in sacking the President was based on Principles. He said his belief in an inclusive Government, also, played a role in guiding him to quit President Tinubu’s Government.

His words: “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.

“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 expects he was uncomfortable with the revenge posture of the Government Tinubu is leading. It’s number one focus, he revealed, is revenge instead of national unity. By that, Audu argued, the President has derailed from his campaign promise.

Audu also said he was uncomfortable with the relationship between the President and his Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike. He described it as questionable.

Audu was worried that the Tinubu who  resisted the Obasanjo-era dominance in the Southwest, is now  at home with doing same.

His words: “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. 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. It took the belief of a few people who understood what we needed and the kind of President we needed to succeed the former President to keep us on that track of actualising Nigeria.

“It was a hard fight and we won. God blessed us with victory. We were to unite the country and relieve the country as a people in victory.

“But when it gets to a stage where our leading figure (President Tinubu) prioritises revenge over collective progress, we should worry.

“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.”

The President’s position on one Party State, Audu said, confirmed to him that the President has derailed.

Audu: “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.

“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).”