Presidential Aide Resigns, Accuses Tinubu Of Stiffling Democratic Space

By Ayodele Oni

The fear of Nigeria becoming a one-party State due to defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has forced the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Public Affairs, Aliyu Audu, to officially resign from his position.

Audu cited concerns over what he described as an emerging attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Audu’s resignation, which took effect immediately, was tendered via a letter dated June 8, 2025 and submitted through the Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.

In a candid statement released shortly after, Audu explained that his decision stemmed from deep personal conviction and a growing discomfort with the political direction of the current administration.

According to him, while he continues to support ongoing economic reforms championed by the Tinubu-led government, he cannot, in good conscience, remain in an administration he believes is stifling the Nation’s democratic space.

“I am not defecting to the PDP or any other opposition party, but I also cannot lend my name to efforts that seem determined to crush alternative political voices.”

The former Presidential Aide lamented what he described as “troubling political realignments and decisions that appear aimed at consolidating power within a single dominant party.”

He argued that such moves run contrary to Nigeria’s democratic principles and could potentially roll back decades of political progress.

“True leadership encourages the free contest of ideas, diversity of thought, and a fair playing field for all political actors — not the silencing or weakening of opposition.”

While reiterating that his resignation was not an act of rebellion, Audu described it as a necessary step driven by a sense of duty and moral responsibility.

He warned that Nigeria’s history has repeatedly shown the dangers of narrowing its political space and insisted that current trends must be reversed for democracy to thrive.

Despite stepping down from office, Audu emphasized that he remains committed to contributing to the national discourse and political debates, even from outside the corridors of power.