Aliyu Audu, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Bola Tinubu, has officially resigned from his position, citing concerns over what he describes as a perceived attempt to reduce Nigeria to a one-party state under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a letter dated June 8, 2025, and addressed to the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Audu stated:
“I write to formally tender my resignation as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, effective immediately.”
Explaining his decision further in a public statement, Audu emphasized that his action was driven by conscience, not rebellion. He said:
“Though I do not align with the PDP, I refuse to be used directly or indirectly as an instrument to reduce Nigeria to a one-party state. That would be a betrayal of both divine favor and democratic principle.”
Audu criticized the suppression of opposition voices, warning that such actions mirror the undemocratic tendencies once associated with past administrations:
“If we now begin to silence or crush opposition simply because we have the upper hand, then we are no different from the system we once criticized under Obasanjo in 2003. Such a path is not only politically reckless; it is spiritually dangerous.”
He also expressed disapproval of the political alliance between President Tinubu and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, describing it as an “unholy alliance” that threatens the progressive values he upholds.
Despite resigning, Audu affirmed his continued support for Tinubu’s economic reforms but stressed that his departure was necessary to maintain his personal commitment to democratic principles:
“We just differ on political views as I pride myself with being a progressive and a promoter of democratic values which seems to be lost in the unholy alliance of PBAT with Wike.”
The resignation comes amid growing public discourse on the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the role of political opposition in governance.
