Atiku, ADC Tackle Tinubu Over BCDA Crisis, Urge Him to Quit 2027 Race

Nigeria's political landscape is heating up as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) call for President Bola Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 presidential election. Their primary evidence for this demand is the lingering leadership dispute at the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).

According to Abubakar, speaking through his spokesman Phrank Shaibu, the situation at the BCDA represents a "serious embarrassment" and highlights a "breakdown in governance." The controversy erupted when President Tinubu announced the replacement of Dakorinama Alabo George, reportedly backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, with Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas. However, weeks after the announcement, George allegedly continues to perform his duties, remaining listed as the agency's chief executive on its official website and attending meetings.

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How does a president publicly appoint a new head of a federal agency, yet weeks later the person said to have been replaced remains in office, continues to exercise authority, appears on the agency’s official website as its chief executive, and even holds official meetings with ministers?

"How does a president publicly appoint a new head of a federal agency, yet weeks later the person said to have been replaced remains in office, continues to exercise authority, appears on the agency’s official website as its chief executive, and even holds official meetings with ministers?" Abubakar questioned. He argued that such recurring controversies, alongside policy reversals and economic hardship, are weakening public confidence in the government. Abubakar urged the Presidency to clarify the BCDA leadership's legal status and ensure directives are implemented, advising Tinubu to focus on Nigeria's pressing challenges rather than the next election.

The ADC echoed these sentiments, with National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi stating that the BCDA dispute, coupled with the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council scandal and policy reversals, suggests that "unelected individuals may have hijacked the President’s constitutional powers." The party declared that Tinubu has "lost control" of his administration, citing the BCDA crisis as proof of a Presidency where appointments can allegedly be ignored without consequence.

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Tinubu has “lost control” of his administration, citing the reported leadership crisis at the Border Communities Development Agency as evidence of a Presidency where official appointments can allegedly be ignored without consequence raising serious questions about who is really in control of the administration.