Shettima’s Take: The Tinubu I Once Knew Has Evolved Considerably

During an interview with PUNCH, Shettima expressed that Tinubu, once a pro-democracy activist, has evolved since taking office at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja…CONTINUE READING

The AYCF National President, who was previously a Youth Director in the political pressure group NADECO, active in the fight against the military junta of the late General Sani Abacha in the early 90s, explained that those, including himself, who were pro-democracy activists alongside Tinubu during the struggle to establish Nigeria’s fledgling democracy, now harbor reservations about him.

Shettima expressed hope that President Tinubu’s government has not fallen under the influence of the usual ‘Aso Rock Cabal,’ a term commonly associated with the inner circle of power, as observed in the past administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

Additionally, Shettima raised concerns about some of Tinubu’s appointments, particularly where younger individuals are seemingly sidelined in favor of older, more established figures.

He advised the President to take a lesson from Buhari’s tenure, wherein Buhari was often surrounded by individuals who exercised significant control over his leadership from 2015 to 2023.

Shettima remarked, “The Bola Tinubu that I was familiar with and with whom I collaborated during the struggle is no longer the same person today.

I hope my concerns are unfounded, and I hope he does not allow himself to be manipulated by the same figures from the past.” Shettima emphasized his desire for a positive legacy for the current administration, which he referred to as “our government,” and his hope that it fulfills the expectations of the people.