President Tinubu not distracted, not bothered about politicians’ gang up

The Nigerian presidency has swiftly dismissed a recent meeting of opposition figures and dissident voices within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains “undistracted and unperturbed” amid rising political tensions and criticism.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) early Sunday morning, presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, rebuffed what he called a politically motivated gathering of Tinubu’s critics, including former allies within the APC.

The meeting, which was convened while the President was attending to official duties in Tanzania, saw key political figures lambasting his leadership amidst ongoing economic and political struggles in Nigeria.

Adesina, in his post, labeled the assembly as a “Machiavellian” move by political opponents, detractors, and some erstwhile friends of the President, noting that it was designed to stir division and disrupt Nigeria’s governance. He noted that while President Tinubu was in Dar es Salaam addressing critical energy concerns for the nation, “his opponents, pseudo-friends, and detractors unveiled their true intentions.”

“This was a typical opposition gathering, motivated solely by ill-will, with no new narrative other than the usual opposition rhetoric,” Adesina wrote. He went further to condemn the “vitriol” that characterized the meeting, warning that some individuals in attendance were fanning the flames of undemocratic actions.

Despite the growing political tension, Adesina emphasized that President Tinubu remains resolutely focused on his administration’s core responsibilities, rather than being distracted by the opposition’s rhetoric.

“The clouds are beginning to clear. The stage is set. The real battle begins soon. But until then, President Tinubu—an unwavering democrat—remains unperturbed. His focus is on governance, not petty politics,” he declared.

Adesina went on to reiterate that President Tinubu’s immediate priority is tackling Nigeria’s economic challenges and improving the welfare of its citizens, rather than engaging in political posturing ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The only conversation the President is interested in right now is how to improve the lives of Nigerians and foster a resilient economy,” Adesina asserted.

In a pointed message to political aspirants eyeing the 2027 elections, Adesina advised them to wait for the appropriate time to test their political fortunes, emphasizing that the President’s commitment is solely to leading Nigeria, not to electioneering.

“This is 2025. Not 2027. Let those interested in testing their popularity wait for the next election. President Tinubu is focused on leading Nigeria and making tangible progress,” he concluded.

The political climate has become increasingly charged, with growing divisions within the APC and heightened criticism from opposition groups over the government’s handling of key national issues, including economic management and security.

At the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy held in Abuja, a number of prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, were vocal in their criticism of President Tinubu’s administration.

In a separate post, Adesina also warned Nigerians about the broader global economic ramifications of the ongoing tariff dispute between the United States and Canada.

He urged the country to remain vigilant, as the fallout from the trade war could have far-reaching consequences for global trade.

“Nigeria must closely monitor the tariff war between the USA and Canada, as the effects will reverberate across the globe,” he cautioned.

“This is a new world order, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) will play a significant role in managing its impacts. For Nigeria, there is a vital lesson in all of this—America First. Canada First. It’s time for Nigeria First.”