Aliyu Audu has resigned from his position as Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing a growing erosion of democratic values under the current administration as his reason for stepping down.
His resignation was formally tendered in a letter dated June 8, 2025, addressed to the President through the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. In the letter, Audu wrote:
“I write to formally tender my resignation as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, effective immediately.”
Beyond the official correspondence, Audu issued a separate public statement expressing concern over what he described as the administration's departure from democratic principles and growing intolerance of dissent.
Though he did not cite specific events, Audu's resignation aligns with rising criticisms from civil society groups and political observers who have raised alarms over what they describe as shrinking civic space and an increase in authoritarian tendencies within the government.
Reactions to his resignation have been swift on social media, with some praising his decision as a principled stand. A commentator wrote, “Wike and the government’s mass trumpeters will soon go to the market square to denigrate this principled man. Democracy, as it's known, has been thrown to the dogs towards a journey to totalitarianism.”
There has been no official response from the presidency as of the time of this report.
Audu's departure adds to the list of aides and officials who have recently left the Tinubu administration under controversial or quiet circumstances, fueling ongoing debates about internal discontent within the corridors of power.
