Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has accused President Bola Tinubu of betrayal after reportedly depleting his resources to support Tinubu’s presidential campaign. In a viral video, Dokubo expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that he would now ally with the northern region to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Dokubo reflected on past alliances with the North, saying, “I apologize to our elders; they were right in aligning with the North. As young men, we will now follow that same path.”
He emphasised that “From today, I will work and ally with the North. Tinubu has betrayed me after I spent everything to campaign for him. This isn’t the Tinubu I once knew.”
In his remarks, Dokubo criticized the Yoruba people, claiming, “We can’t work with the Yoruba; they have betrayed us. We risked our lives by voting and supporting, only to face this outcome.”
This tension follows Dokubo’s June 2023 meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, where he had previously defended the president and voiced support. His outspoken stance on oil theft and insecurity, however, led to a backlash, and the presidency reportedly banned ex-militants from Aso Rock visits.
Last year, while meeting with former presidential aspirant Tein Jack-Rich, Dokubo stated, “I am not a politician but a friend of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I don’t seek appointments, but those who made sacrifices expect me to ensure their efforts are not wasted.”
Dokubo’s recent criticism of the military’s role in oil theft has also strained relations, adding to the controversy surrounding his current remarks.
QED
