5 Tinubu’s Allies Plot Political Revenge Ahead of 2027

DDM News

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is now facing increasing resistance ahead of the 2027 general election, not just from the opposition, but from within his former political inner circle.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that several of Tinubu’s past allies, including governors, ministers, and influential party figures, have shifted positions and are now openly working to unseat him in the coming election.

Prominent among these individuals is Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, who was once a vocal supporter of Tinubu’s presidential ambition in 2023.

El-Rufai exited the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2025, declaring that the party had strayed from its original values and vision.

He has since referred to Tinubu’s ministers as “clowns” and expressed deep doubts about the president’s chances of securing a second term.

Rauf Aregbesola, former Minister of Interior and one-time Governor of Osun State, is another key figure now aligned against Tinubu.

Aregbesola was once considered one of Tinubu’s most trusted political protégés, with their alliance dating back to the early days of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Their political relationship, however, deteriorated in recent years—especially following the crisis surrounding the Osun State governorship election, where Tinubu reportedly backed a different candidate.

Aregbesola has now joined forces with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, forming part of a coalition aiming to dislodge the APC government in 2027.

Another defector is Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation and ex-governor of Rivers State.

Amaechi, who backed Tinubu’s candidacy in 2023 after losing the APC presidential primary, has now become one of the administration’s fiercest critics.

He has publicly lamented the rising cost of living, inflation, and general hardship in the country, urging Nigerians to consider change ahead of the next presidential poll.

Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has also distanced himself from the president’s camp.

Once a key legal defender of the APC, Malami has reportedly grown disillusioned with the party’s internal direction and governance performance.

He has criticised the current APC leadership for failing to tackle the country’s worsening economic and security crises.

Also joining the list is Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who was removed from office in 2017 amid allegations of mismanagement.

Lawal has become increasingly vocal about the challenges facing the nation, accusing Tinubu’s presidency of exacerbating insecurity and poverty.

In recent interviews, Lawal described Tinubu’s administration as a continuation of what he termed the “ineptitude” of the Buhari era.

According to political analysts, the significance of these defections and criticisms lies not only in their symbolism but also in the networks these former allies command.

Each of the five individuals played a central role in Tinubu’s 2023 campaign, either through endorsements, grassroots mobilisation, or strategic alliances.

Their defection and criticism suggest that the APC may face serious internal turbulence in the lead-up to the next election.

Observers believe that a coalition of disenchanted APC stalwarts and opposition figures could create a formidable political force by 2027.

The growing economic hardship, insecurity, and high cost of governance have further eroded public trust in the current administration.

With unemployment rising and inflation putting pressure on average households, discontent is mounting among the electorate.

Tinubu’s supporters, however, remain optimistic, pointing to ongoing reforms in the economy and the security sector as signs of progress.

The APC’s national leadership has yet to formally respond to the wave of criticism coming from the president’s former allies.

Meanwhile, opposition parties are already in high-level talks to exploit the division within the ruling party.

Political commentators say that if Tinubu is to succeed in securing re-election, he must not only regain public confidence but also reconcile with key defectors.

The 2027 presidential election promises to be a fiercely contested one, with unexpected political alignments already emerging.

As Nigeria’s democratic space continues to evolve, the coming months are expected to reshape the political landscape across party lines.

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