Mixed reactions trail Tinubu’s SSA resignation

Aliyu Audu’s sudden resignation from his position as Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Public Affairs has created a wave of reactions across social media, with many Nigerians offering mixed interpretations of his decision.

While Audu stated that he stepped down due to concerns about the administration’s alleged drift toward one-party dominance, many netizens viewed the move through different lenses, especially against the backdrop of the country’s worsening economic hardship and internal power dynamics within the presidency.

A high number of Nigerians praised his decision, describing it as a rare act of courage in a time when many public officials remain silent despite widespread public frustration.

However, some skeptics questioned the timing and motive behind his resignation. A segment of users suggested that Audu may have been “kicked out quietly” and simply chose to get ahead of the story by framing it as a principled exit.

Others pointed fingers at Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, claiming that Onanuga’s dominant role had made it impossible for Audu to function effectively in his assigned role.

Several users also took a jab at Audu’s initial acceptance of the appointment, questioning why he joined the administration in the first place if he already had concerns about its political direction.

Read some netizens’ reactions below;

@ofodimegwu: Good riddance..

@victorsmog: This man that defends Tinubu on Arise everyday . Northerners are not smiling

@bashiru_kairu: What really made him taken what he decided. Stripe truth we want.

@dondrey: if it’s the reason for your resignation, that’s wonderful of you

@kelechiuche10: What is happening to these President’s advisers from the North?

First, it was Baba Ahmed, now this

@Realdromo: Voluntarily resigned or advised to resign or sacked?

@umorpaul: He has exhausted his lies

Aliyu Audu, in his public resignation letter, insisted that his decision was driven not by rebellion but by conscience. He maintained that although he supports the administration’s economic reforms, he cannot align himself with the alleged suppression of opposition voices and shrinking of Nigeria’s democratic space.

Despite his exit, Audu hinted that his political voice would not be silenced, suggesting that he would continue to engage from outside government.