Why Tinubu Relocated During Buhari’s Govt – Oshiomhole

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu temporarily relocated from Nigeria during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to distance himself from policies and decisions he was uncomfortable with.

The Edo North lawmaker made the revelation during an interview on The Mic On Podcast, where he reflected on the relationship between Tinubu and the Buhari administration.

According to Oshiomhole, despite being a key architect of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and instrumental to Buhari’s emergence as president, Tinubu found himself increasingly sidelined during the former administration.

The former Edo State governor alleged that Tinubu was dissatisfied with some government policies, appointments, and decisions but chose to remain loyal to Buhari and the APC rather than publicly challenge the administration.

“Tinubu stood with Buhari even when he was ignored,” Oshiomhole said.

He further claimed that the current president opted to spend considerable time outside the country in order to avoid being associated with actions and policies that he believed could damage his reputation.

“Tinubu relocated so that he could be free from the humiliation arising from either the choice of policy, appointment of people, and some of the decisions that Buhari was taking,” Oshiomhole stated.

The senator recalled Buhari’s famous declaration shortly after assuming office in 2015, when the former president said he belonged “to everybody and to nobody,” suggesting that the statement reflected the administration’s approach to political allies and stakeholders.

According to Oshiomhole, Tinubu remained committed to the ruling party despite what he described as political isolation and a lack of influence within the government he helped bring to power.

Oshiomhole Takes Swipe at Akpabio

During the same interview, Oshiomhole also turned his attention to the leadership of the Senate, alleging that many members of the 10th National Assembly are dissatisfied with the style of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Responding to questions about his relationship with the Senate President, Oshiomhole claimed Akpabio views him as a political threat and has become overly suspicious of his activities.

“He is paranoid about everything that has to do with me,” the senator said.

The former governor alleged that if Akpabio had the opportunity, he would prefer to exclude him from Senate affairs entirely.

“Everybody in the Senate knows that if Senator Akpabio had his way, he would lock me out of the Senate,” he claimed.

However, Oshiomhole insisted that the issue goes beyond his personal differences with the Senate President, arguing that several lawmakers are privately unhappy with the current leadership structure in the upper chamber.

He warned that the political landscape within the Senate could change significantly after the 2027 general elections when a new National Assembly is inaugurated.

According to him, Akpabio should not assume that the atmosphere in the 11th Senate will be the same as what currently exists in the 10th Senate.

“The 11th Senate will not be the 10th Senate,” Oshiomhole declared, suggesting that growing dissatisfaction among lawmakers could influence future leadership dynamics.

The remarks are expected to generate fresh debate within political circles, particularly as preparations for the 2027 elections begin to gather momentum and internal power struggles continue to shape conversations within the APC and the National Assembly.