Aliyu Audu, who served as Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Bola Tinubu, has expressed strong disappointment over his inability to gain audience with the President throughout his time in office. The former SSA on Public Affairs, Aliyu Audu, revealed that despite serving for nearly two years in the administration as one of the president’s spokesmen, he was never granted a personal meeting with Tinubu. Recently, Audu stepped down from his role, officially resigning a few weeks ago. He criticized President Tinubu for choosing to meet with popular Nigerian musician David Adeleke, professionally known as Davido, and Lagos politician Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, commonly called Jandor, while continuously denying him access. During a Thursday night interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, Audu pledged to actively oppose Tinubu’s reelection efforts. He stated, “I worked for the President for almost two years. I never got the chance to have a face-to-face with him. I was one of his spokespersons, yet he sat down with Davido, who had even insulted him some weeks before, and then also met Jandor, who did not even come second in the Lagos gubernatorial election. It simply does not add up.” Just days before Audu officially left his position, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State — who is also Davido’s uncle — had paid a courtesy visit to President Tinubu in Lagos. It is worth remembering that in March, Jandor, who was the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the 2023 Lagos State governorship contest, had also visited the president shortly after leaving the PDP. Audu’s comments have sparked conversation about how presidential aides are treated, and why celebrity and political connections sometimes seem to take priority over those serving within the inner government circle. Audu’s remarks have highlighted a growing rift between presidential appointees who feel sidelined and the presidency’s preference for high-profile guests and political realignments.
The Nigerian Presidency has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over recent allegations made by Senator Ali Ndume, who criticized the federal appointments as being biased and failing to reflect the federal character principle. In a detailed response, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, emphasized that President Tinubu’s appointments were driven by merit and national inclusion rather than tribal or regional considerations. Related Post: What is the Federal Character Principle in Nigeria? Breakdown of Tinubu’s Appointments: 71 Northerners, 63 Southerners According to Dare, a total of 134 federal positions have been filled so far by the Tinubu administration. Out of these: The Southern appointments further break down as follows: This breakdown shows that while the North currently leads in number, the difference is marginal, and overall the appointments reflect a sense of balance and national representation. Tinubu’s Leadership Style Is Detribalized Dare pointed out that Tinubu’s approach to leadership has always been inclusive, even during his tenure as the Governor of Lagos State. His cabinet then included people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, showing a pattern of meritocratic governance rather than ethnically motivated appointments. “President Tinubu understands the weight of the mandate he carries—a mandate from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria,” Dare said. “His appointments are being made with a view to national unity, competence, and inclusiveness.” Presidency Urges Patience and Broader Perspective Dare also advised against hasty judgments, noting that Tinubu is less than two years into his presidency and many more appointments are expected. Isolating a few appointments at this stage could lead to a misleading perception of bias. He stated: “We must take an expansive view of federal appointments so far. This is only a fraction of what is to come.” This defense comes amid growing conversations around the issue of regional equity in government representation—a matter that remains sensitive and closely watched in Nigeria’s democratic framework. Conclusion: No Cause for Alarm on Federal Character In summary, the Presidency insists that President Tinubu remains committed to upholding the federal character, ensuring fair representation across all regions. The current appointment statistics, though still evolving, reflect a leadership style that prioritizes unity and competence over tribal affiliations. For more insights into Nigeria’s Federal Character Commission guidelines, visit Official FCC Website Explore other trending political updates on LMSINT Media Politics Section. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
