Allies-turned-opponents: Tinubu’s old friends now working against his re-election

As Nigeria gets ready for another presidential election in 2027, the race is not just between political parties but also between old friends who have now turned against one another

President Bola Tinubu, who became famous for saying “Emi lo kan” before winning the 2023 election, is now facing strong opposition from people who used to support him.

These include former political allies, protégés and even those who quietly helped build his success.

When Tinubu announced that he wanted to be president ahead of the 2023 elections, many governors, ministers, and former political rivals supported him. Even social media influencers helped sell his ambition to Nigerians.

But just two years into his presidency, some of these people have now turned against him.

They openly criticise his government, his leadership, and his policies.

Bola Tinubu and Nasir El-Rufai

Bola Tinubu and Nasir El-Rufai

Nasir El-Rufai: From backer to critic-in-chief

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, was one of the northern All Progressives Congress governors who supported the zoning of the presidential ticket to the South, supporting Tinubu’s rise.

El-Rufai often praised Tinubu during the campaigns.

During one of the campaigns, El-Rufai said, “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is our candidate whom we all supported to get the ticket and we are sure we will not regret it.”

However, this support did not last long.

In March 2025, El-Rufai left the APC for the Social Democratic Party. He said the APC no longer shared his values.

He explained, “As a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have fond memories of working with other compatriots to negotiate the merger of political parties that created the APC. Since 2013, I have hoped that my personal values and those of the APC will continue to align until I choose to retire from politics.

“Developments in the last two years confirm that those who currently control and run the APC do not desire to acknowledge, much less address, the party’s unhealthy situation. I have raised concerns in private and, more recently, in public regarding the party’s capricious trajectory. Therefore, at this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform to pursue the progressive values I cherish.”

El-Rufai has become one of Tinubu’s loudest critics.

He has called some of Tinubu’s ministers “clowns” and accused the government of incompetence.

Many believe his anger stems from his failed bid to become a minister and the growing division in the APC.

He even said Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 is impossible.

He claimed anyone who thinks otherwise is not in touch with Nigeria’s reality.

El-Rufai said Nigerians have lost confidence in Tinubu and the APC and will not vote for them in 2027.

Tinubu and Aregbesola

President Bola Tinubu and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola

Rauf Aregbesola

What once looked impossible has now happened. A week ago, former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola officially joined Atiku Abubakar’s coalition ahead of 2027. His goal is to defeat Tinubu.

Aregbesola’s breakaway from Osun State APC through his Omoluabi Progressives group, which has loyalists in Osun and Lagos, didn’t surprise many. Their relationship had been falling apart for years.

Their bond started in 1999 when Aregbesola served as Tinubu’s Commissioner for Works in Lagos. Even after Tinubu left office, Aregbesola still controlled the ministry while he fought to become Osun State governor. Back then, they seemed inseparable.

But things fell apart during the 2022 Osun governorship election. Tinubu’s nephew, Gboyega Oyetola, wanted re-election. Aregbesola’s camp refused to support him. Oyetola lost to Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party. Before the election, Aregbesola openly criticised Tinubu. He accused Tinubu of betrayal and said Oyetola would face the same political fate as former Lagos governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

Analysts believe this marked the final break between them. Some even blamed the rift for Tinubu’s loss to Peter Obi in Lagos during the 2023 presidential election.

Now, Aregbesola has joined Atiku and other opposition leaders. Many believe this could change the 2027 elections.

Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and northern Christian leader, used to support the APC. But when APC picked a Muslim-Muslim ticket, he changed his mind.

During the 2023 elections, his support for the APC was unclear in some areas.

Now, Lawal is helping opposition leaders plan for 2027. He has been very critical of Tinubu. He blames Tinubu for Nigeria’s insecurity, economic hardship, and favouritism.

He said Tinubu’s supporters are pretending not to see the government’s failures.

PUNCH.