A fresh political dispute has erupted between allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the camp of President Bola Tinubu, following claims by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, that the President remains politically ahead of opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a post on his verified X account on Sunday, Keyamo highlighted Tinubu’s political pedigree and long-standing role in Nigeria’s opposition politics, stating: “You cannot beat a master at his game.”
However, in a statement on Monday, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, dismissed the claim, arguing that past political triumphs cannot substitute for present-day governance outcomes. Shaibu shifted the debate from political strategy to living conditions, insisting that Nigerians are more concerned with current realities than past victories.
“Tinubu may have excelled in opposition politics, but governance is about results, not rhetoric,” Shaibu said. “The myth of invincibility is often the last refuge of a failing narrative. Tinubu may have had his moments in opposition politics, but governance is not a game of chess; it is a duty to deliver results.
“Today, Nigerians are not asking who once outfoxed whom in 2007; they are asking why hunger is rising, why insecurity persists, and why the cost of living has become unbearable. Being ‘100 steps ahead’ should reflect in better lives for citizens, not in clever political storytelling.
“History may remember political battles, but the present will judge leadership by performance, and on that scale, no amount of myth-making can mask the truth. He is an abysmal failure.”
Shaibu doubled down in a follow-up post on X, broadening his criticism of the administration’s performance.
“Being ‘100 steps ahead’ scheming means nothing when millions of Nigerians are being dragged backwards by hunger, insecurity, and a collapsing standard of living. What is the value of strategy if it cannot put food on the table, secure lives, or restore dignity to the average citizen? Governance is not a masterclass in manipulation; it is a test of compassion, competence, and courage.
“Today, Nigerians are not impressed by recycled opposition tactics dressed up as brilliance; they are confronted daily by empty pockets, unsafe communities, and a government that appears disconnected from their pain. No amount of propaganda can mask a reality that is this loud.”
The exchange underscores intensifying political positioning among key actors as parties begin early manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 general elections, with debates increasingly shifting from campaign strategy to questions of governance and public welfare.
