2027: More revelations as 10 Influential APC politicians sidelined since Tinubu’s presidency listed

By KEMI KASUMU and OUR REPORTERS

More Nigerians believe that Tinubu has paid the North’s goodness towards him with attempt to destabilize the region’s historical politics and traditional leadership, unity and vital socio-cultural existence because of his own self political gains to secure a second term when he was yet to have his footing as a first timer.

To those who view every bit of steps taken lately by former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, as irrelevant or as mere reaction to his not being given ministerial appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, they are now left with either denying with clear cut rebuttal those damaging allegations of political frauds, corruption and internationally undemocratic behaviour of the president towards the party his leader and former President Muhammadu Buhari handed over to him on May 29, 2023 or remain silent as the ongoing Nigeria’s new political direction being sought lasts.

Only on Thursday March 13, 2025, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai opened a can worms that revealed how Tinubu has run the All Progressives Congress (APC) as his private estate without a single meeting held since his taking over as country’s president and party leader. El-Rufai slammed those, who hinged the reasons for his complaint as APC member on ministerial appointment he was not given. He said his complaint centred around the fact that he and more important people with interest of Nigeria and the party at hearts were sidelined, that the party’s principles and agreed programmes were jettisoned and thrown aside by Tinubu while those who are made active in the party under him are those without ideas of nation building or interest of the nation and party but self-gains at hearts.

He went further to address the matter of appointment, saying he never asked for appointment under Tinubu but that it was both a matter of public and private affair that Tinubu begged him to join him to fix the seeming unending power sector in the country, which ordinarily by way of self submission to patriotism and service to the people and the nation a mere female President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania had been able to solve without stress under her first 12 months in office since succeeding her late boss in that East African country.

The DEFENDER recalls President Tinubu during his campaign in Nigeria’s most vital centre for political success determination, Arewa House Kaduna, and he told the Northern Nigeria audience globally televised and monitored and he said “I will not step down from this podium until Nasir comes out here to promise me” that he will not run away but join him in his government if he wins the election, which then sitting Governor of Kaduna State publicly obliged by saying he would consider his request.

Nasir El-Rufai told BBC Hausa Service this week that those who want to know about why he attended the ministerial screening at the God’swill Akpabio-led Senate should take it to the bank that their celebrated “master strategist (?)” begged him to attend the screening reason he did. Earlier he had said it was not the Senate who did what was done to embarrass him but that all of those things were done by this same President Tinubu, himself, who saw the squirrel telling it that the palm fruits were ripe and, at the same time, being the same one that told the hunter to get ready for a hunt with his gun fully loaded with bullets.

He said he knows people who paid for ministerial forms to be ministers under this Tinubu’s government an allegation, like any others, that Tinubu, his government leaders and APC as well as their supporters, rather than ranting about or dodging, must deny or accept what is about to be their fate in the days ahead in the politics of Nigeria.

The latest revelation now is about how the All Progressives Congress (APC) is grappling with a series of internal conflicts across various states, which pose a threat to the party unity and may impact upcoming elections.

We gathered that these challenges encompass a range of issues, such as unresolved electoral wins, leadership disputes, defections, balancing interests, reconciliation efforts, allegations of disloyalty, and anti-party activities.

Some of the prominent figures who seems sidelined since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as president have listed. They include:

YEMI OSINBAJO

Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President of Nigeria, took a bold step when he decided to challenge his political godfather and current President, Bola Tinubu, in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries.

Despite their long-standing relationship, Osinbajo’s move demonstrated his own political ambition and desire to lead the nation.

Although Osinbajo ultimately lost the primaries to Tinubu, his decision to contest sent a strong message about his commitment to his political aspirations. Muhammadu Buhari, who handed Nigeria to Tinubu, would have taken his mind away from that fact that Osinbajo contested with him, would see it as within his constitutional rights and reconcile to move on with such co-contester in the singular interest of the party unity and the nation.

But, again, this where Buhari as President or as former leader is not the same as Tinubu, who would always use such to rock the boat of everything like seen in the revealed sidelineling of his fellow party men and battle his government has been fighting with Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his Dangote Refinery Company despite being the largest and most quality based in Africa.

IBIKUNLE AMOSUN

Ibikunle Amosun, a staunch supporter of former President Muhammadu Buhari and a prominent figure in the Ogun State APC, appears to be losing control over the political happenings within the party.

In recent months, a majority of his loyalists have switched camps, leaving the former governor to grapple with the harsh realities of politics.

The shifting allegiances raise questions about Amosun’s future role in Ogun State politics and the APC as a whole.

KAYODE FAYEMI

Dr. Kayode Fayemi has expressed concerns about the APC’s internal democracy and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances just like the new bride in SDP, Malam Nasir El-rufai.

A two time Ekiti State Governor, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and Minister in President Muhammadu Buhari’s first cabinet have been nowhere to be found in the Tinubu’s led administration.

There’s been rumor of his initial defection which he’s outrightly denied.

RAUF AREGBESOLA

Rauf Aregbesola, a longtime ally of President Tinubu and a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has recently faced allegations of anti-party activities that have led to a fallout with the President and his administration.

As a two-time commissioner under President Tinubu, a two-term Governor of Osun, and a former minister under President Buhari, Aregbesola has held significant political influence within the APC.

However, his recent political maneuvers have resulted in several members of his group in Osun defecting to the opposition party, signaling a potential shift in allegiances.

Speculation is mounting that Aregbesola himself may soon defect from the APC as his relationship with President Tinubu deteriorates.

The former governor’s alleged anti-party actions have put him at odds with the party leadership, calling into question his future within the APC.

GBEMISOLA SARAKI

Gbemisola Saraki, a prominent politician and former minister, has maintained a relatively low profile since President Tinubu took office.

The former senator, who previously served under President Buhari’s administration, has not been given a significant role in the current dispensation, leading to speculation about her future within the APC.

Despite rumors of a potential defection to the opposition PDP, Saraki has refuted these claims and reaffirmed her commitment to the APC.

ROCHAS OKOROCHA

Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has experienced a significant decline in political influence since the emergence of Hope Uzodimma as the APC’s governorship candidate.

Okorocha’s disagreement with Uzodimma’s candidacy, and his desire to anoint his own candidate, has left him marginalized within the party.

Over the past two years, Okorocha has found himself in the shadows of President Tinubu’s administration, largely absent from the political forefront.

Despite this diminished presence, some of his mentees within the Rochas Political Institute for Emerging Leaders have recently announced their support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, indicating that Okorocha’s influence may not be entirely extinguished.

IYIOLA OMISORE

Iyiola Omisore, once a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and former national secretary of the APC, has largely faded from the public eye in recent times.

Omisore’s rise to this position was attributed to his loyalty to President Tinubu and his pivotal role in securing the election of former Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

Despite being a strong political leader, Omisore has remained largely silent and unseen within the APC, having neither been appointed nor elected to any significant positions.

ROTIMI AMAECHI

Rotimi Amaechi, who once held the positions of Minister of Transportation, Governor of Rivers State, and Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Committee, has found himself at a crossroads in his political career.

Despite his impressive credentials and a strong presence in the Nigerian political scene, Amaechi has been conspicuously absent from President Tinubu’s cabinet.

This absence, coupled with the nomination of Nyesom Wike, has led many to question Amaechi’s political value within the current administration.

PAULINE TALLEN

Pauline Tallen, a trailblazer in Nigerian politics, has made significant strides throughout her career, breaking barriers for women in leadership.

From her role as Deputy Governor of Plateau State, the first woman to hold that position in northern Nigeria, to her ministerial appointment in science and technology, Tallen has consistently championed development and advocated for social justice.

Despite her numerous accomplishments, Tallen’s political career has recently encountered uncertainty. Since the emergence of President Tinubu, her influence seems to have diminished, with no significant appointments or roles within the new administration.

ABDULLAHI ADAMU

Abdullahi Adamu, the former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), resigned from his position following the emergence of President Bola Tinubu.

While there are various reports surrounding the circumstances of his resignation, some sources claim that Adamu acted preemptively to avoid potential humiliation or being removed from office.

Adamu has since maintained a low profile since his resignation.

Effects of sidelines

All of these sidelines and involvement of Tinubu in the unresolved crisis that has hit the nation as he began to play 2027 politics the moment he took power on May 29, 2023 are said to be capable of having their effects in the political future of both the president and the APC.

More Nigerians believe that Tinubu has paid the North’s goodness towards him with attempt to destabilize the region’s historical politics and traditional leadership, unity and vital socio-cultural existence because of his own self political gains to secure a second term when he was yet to have his footing as a first timer.

This attitude, which is viewed in several quarters even beyond the North, is said to be kept in view (KIV) to be presented to him (Tinubu) as core reason he will never be trusted with political power of this country ever again 2027 in particular.

Because Tinubu himself sensed this is the reason he forced Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa on Lagos State House of Assembly to be reinstated as their Speaker after 36 of 40 members had impeached him on the grounds of alleged corruption and abuse of office, to enable him continue his hold of Lagos State politics amidst preparedness of eminent Nigerians who are indigenous to Lagos State to take their constitutionally bestowed State from him in 2027.