In a viral video, former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of betrayal and neglect. Dokubo, who had supported Tinubu’s campaign during the 2023 presidential election, expressed deep disappointment, claiming he had emptied his bank account to back Tinubu’s bid for the presidency, only to feel abandoned after the election.
Dokubo alleged that despite his significant financial contributions and efforts to garner support for Tinubu during the 2023 elections, he received no recognition or support in return. He stated, “President Tinubu betrayed me after I spent all my money and emptied my bank account campaigning for him. The Tinubu I know now isn’t the Tinubu I used to know.”
Asari Dokubo, known for his outspoken stance on political issues, further announced a shift in his political alliances. He revealed his intention to form a new alliance with the Northern region, distancing himself from Tinubu and the political circle he once supported. In his statement, he said, “From today, I will work and form an alliance with the North. We will take this message across that only the Northerners can work with the Ijaw people. We can’t work with Yoruba people; they are a betrayal to us.”
Dokubo’s comments highlight his dissatisfaction with what he perceives as a lack of reciprocity from Tinubu and his administration. He emphasized that he had previously vouched for Tinubu’s leadership, asking Nigerians to hold him accountable if Tinubu failed as president. Now, with his frustrations laid bare, Dokubo expressed regret over his previous stance. “I apologise to our fathers because they were not wrong in forming an alliance with the North, and as young men, we will now start that same alliance,” he said.
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The accusations come as a stark contrast to Dokubo’s earlier statements in 2023 when he expressed unwavering support for Tinubu. At the time, he noted that he was not seeking a federal appointment and described his relationship with Tinubu as a long-standing friendship dating back to the early 1990s. “I am not a regular politician; I am just a friend of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am not looking for an appointment, but those seeking an appointment made sacrifices and are looking up to me to ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain,” Dokubo had said during an interaction with former presidential aspirant Tein Jack-Rich.
He had also spoken highly of Tinubu’s leadership qualities, emphasizing his trust in the president’s commitment to equity and justice. “I will not do anything that will cause the President pain, and so those around me can be rest assured that I am indeed a great supporter of the President,” Dokubo said at the time.
However, the tone has shifted drastically as Dokubo now feels let down by the very administration he once supported. The former militant leader’s remarks have sparked discussions on social media, with many expressing surprise at the fallout between the two former allies. Asari Dokubo’s decision to ally with the Northern region ahead of the 2027 general elections marks a significant political shift, with potential implications for the alliances and support structures that shape Nigerian politics in the years to come.