Former Aide Claims Tinubu Was Marginalized by Buhari’s Administration

Laolu Akande, who served as a media advisor to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu was sidelined during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari. Akande stated that he observed instances where Tinubu was not given proper recognition at party meetings.

In an interview on the Naija Unfiltered podcast, Akande expressed that despite Tinubu’s significant role in helping Buhari become the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in 2015, he faced marginalization. Akande said, “What did they not do against Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Tell me, what did they not do?”

He recounted that at meetings, Tinubu was often placed in less prominent positions, stating, “I saw him with my korokoro eyes.” However, Akande’s claims have not been independently verified, and he did not provide specific details about the meetings or the context of the alleged incidents.

Akande also mentioned that some individuals Tinubu suggested for ministerial roles were overlooked, with other candidates chosen instead to diminish his influence. He cited examples of nominees like Alake and Edun who were not selected.

Despite these challenges, Akande noted that Tinubu remained committed to the party and waited for the right moment to pursue his presidential goals. He referred to the controversy surrounding the naira redesign policy before the 2023 elections as another hurdle for Tinubu.

As political parties gear up for the 2027 elections, Akande emphasized the need for opposition parties to strengthen their resolve and not solely blame the ruling party for their struggles. He urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to consider stepping aside from his presidential ambitions to foster unity among opposition parties.