Few high-level resignations have rocked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration within its second year in office, raising concerns about internal cohesion, governance structure, and political direction.
These exits—some quiet, others outspoken—reflect growing dissatisfaction among insiders over the administration’s priorities, decision-making process, and leadership dynamics.
While official statements often cite personal reasons, deeper analysis reveals issues ranging from limited access to power, sidelining of advisers, ideological disagreements, to warnings about democratic decline.
These resignations are no longer isolated incidents but signs of a widening gap between the presidency’s inner circle and its broader political base.
This article traces the timeline of these resignations, investigates the factors behind them, and explores their broader implications for governance and party stability in Nigeria.
RECENT WAVE OF RESIGNATIONS
1) Aliyu Audu (SSA, Public Affairs) – June 8–9, 2025
Aliyu Audu served as Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Tinubu. A seasoned APC strategist, he was known for actively championing Tinubu’s policies early in the administration .
The Immediate Reason: Democratic Concerns
In early June 2025, Audu submitted his resignation highlighted by a public letter expressing alarm over the ruling APC’s direction. He argued that actions by party leaders and an alignment with Minister Wike signaled a shift toward a one‑party state—an explicit warning against democratic backsliding .
Although his letter emphasized democratic principles, critics say this was also a clear rebuke of internal party dynamics and authoritarian tendencies emerging within the administration.
What He Said (In Essence)
Audu directly accused senior APC figures of fostering political consolidation at the expense of democratic plurality.
He cited defections from opposition parties and the party’s growing closeness to individuals like Wike as signs that Nigeria was risking its democratic character.
Audu positioned himself as defending democratic norms — not merely criticising Tinubu personally, but calling out systemic issues within the ruling party.
Contrast with His Early Support
January 2025 saw Audu publicly urging APC members to amplify President Tinubu’s reforms—highlighting economic progress, security gains, and foreign investment . This makes his resignation all the more striking—it wasn’t ideological from the start, but came after observing an alarming shift in party conduct.
2. Dr. Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed
Role: Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice‑President Kashim Shettima. Appointed in September 2023 .
Resignation: Tendered in April 2025, with the news surfacing around April 4, cited as being submitted about two weeks earlier .
Reasons Behind His Exit
Underutilisation & Isolation
Baba‑Ahmed openly criticized his role as symbolic rather than impactful. Speaking to Arise News, he admitted:
“I felt underutilised and lacked access to President Tinubu despite daily contact with Shettima… I met him three times in the mosque… but never had a chance to sit down with President Tinubu. He is genuinely isolated from his appointees.”
This highlights both professional frustration and structural barriers within the administration.
Disillusionment with Governance Performance
He expressed disappointment over what he perceives as a lack of initiative from the Tinubu administration in tackling key national problems:
“No, I won’t go back… the Tinubu administration lacked the drive and commitment needed to address Nigeria’s most pressing issues, particularly poverty and insecurity.”
He contrasted his expectations with the reality of “Nigeria’s condition continued to deteriorate” .
Personal Grounds as a Cover?
While official statements cited “personal reasons” , those close to the situation and his own public remarks suggest broader political-irritation and institutional marginalization.
3) Ajuri Ngelale
Appointed July 31, 2023, as Special Adviser on Media & Publicity and Presidential Spokesperson.
In May 2024, he also took on the role of Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and chaired the Project Evergreen climate initiative .
What Actually Happened
On September 7, 2024, Ngelale submitted a memo to CoS Femi Gbajabiamila, requesting an indefinite leave. He officially cited “medical issues affecting my immediate, nuclear family”—a reason echoed across multiple media outlets .
However, all signs pointed to internal conflict and performance concerns—suggesting his departure was more than just family-related.
The Political-Administrative Fallout
I Turf War in Aso Rock
Ngelale began clashing with top officials: Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila, SGF Akume, Principal Secretary Muri-Okunola, and Chief of State Protocol Adeleke .
He also reportedly stepped on toes with President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, who had initially supported his appointment .
II Unauthorized Appointments
According to reports, he unilaterally created and announced new positions—as climate envoy and Project Evergreen chair—without coordinating with SGF’s office, which manages political staffing. This high-handed move angered insiders
III Performance Shortcomings
His press statements were repeatedly criticized:
Boastful announcement of ringing the Nasdaq closing bell, later proven false.
Premature claim that the UAE visa ban on Nigerians had been lifted.
One insider remarked: “Some of his press statements were simply childish.”
He also reportedly sidelined colleagues, controlling communications—and operated as a “one-man show” .
IV. Isolation and Loss of Trust
Ngelale gradually lost access to the President, and media outlets planned grooming of more seasoned officials to take over his role .
ANALYSIS: WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON?
1. Inchoate backlash to “one‑partyism”
Audu’s exit marks a rare public repudiation of political consolidation, especially ironic coming from someone steeped in APC messaging.
2. Intra-villa brawls
Ngelale’s exit exposed rifts between Tinubu’s camp—his son, CoS, SGF—and gatekeeping of presidential access.
3. Tinubu’s centralizing impulse
Whether through reshuffling or pressure, Tinubu’s team is revealing a top-down control model: communications, VP’s office, even decorum—all under his watch.
4. Institutional weak spots exposed
Repeated resignations from high-profile roles suggest system-level frictions and fragile governance business-as-usual.
WHAT NEXT FOR TINUBU?
New Communicators: Tinubu must appoint aides seen as both loyal and legitimately credible.
Reassurance of pluralism: Analysts suggest Tinubu address concerns of democracy suppression if he hopes to calm nervous voices.
APC unity building: The GOP may need internal conventions or reforms to knit together defectors and dissenters.
Control of internal leaks: These resignations point to possible information leaks or orchestrated exits from within.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Four years into his tenure—and two years into a full term—President Tinubu faces more than economic and security challenges: he’s confronting questions over democratic depth and internal cohesion. These successive resignations reflect not mere personnel change, but deeper ideological fractures and institutional contestations under his watch.
Aliyu Audu’s principled exit gives voice to rising unease; Ajuri Ngelale’s departure laid bare institutional rivalries. In a democracy as fragile as Nigeria’s, these aren’t small tremors—they are cracks.
Whether Tinubu responds with openness or doubles down on consolidation will determine the next phase of his presidency.
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