Aliyu Audu, the former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Bola Tinubu, has publicly criticized the Nigerian leader for denying him personal access throughout his tenure, despite serving as one of his spokespersons for nearly two years.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday, Audu expressed deep frustration, stating that he never had a face-to-face meeting with President Tinubu during his tenure.
He questioned why the president granted audience to celebrities and opposition politicians while seemingly ignoring those who had worked closely within his administration.
“I worked for the President for nearly two years. I didn’t have a sit-down with him. I’m one of his spokespersons, but he sat with Davido, who insulted him a couple of weeks before,” Audu lamented.
He also took a swipe at President Tinubu’s meeting with Lagos PDP politician Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor. “Then he sat with that Jandor, who didn’t even come second in the Lagos election. It doesn’t make sense,” Audu added.
The former aide, who tendered his resignation a few weeks ago, has now openly declared his intention to oppose Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, signaling a sharp break from the administration he once defended.
His comments come amid growing political intrigue around the president’s engagements with high-profile figures. Just days before Audu’s resignation, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke—uncle to singer Davido—visited President Tinubu in Lagos. In March, Jandor also met with the president shortly after announcing his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Audu’s remarks have sparked a conversation about loyalty, access to power, and the optics of political relationships in Tinubu’s administration, raising questions about how insiders are valued and rewarded.
