In a video that has gone viral on social media, Dokubo expressed his deep disappointment and sense of betrayal towards Tinubu. The latter, a former governor of Lagos State, allegedly betrayed his trust despite the latter’s best efforts to ensure Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential elections.
The former activist said he had mobilised all his resources to convince voters to vote for Tinubu but now feels abandoned by the latter. He said he had emptied his bank account to support the President, recalling how he had called on Nigerians to hold him accountable if the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate failed as president.
In an unexpected move, Dokubo concluded that his alleged betrayal by Tinubu indicated that the Ijaw people should form a new alliance with the Northern region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“I apologise to our elders because they were not wrong to form an alliance with the North, and as young men, we will now begin that same alliance. From today, I will work and form an alliance with the North. President Tinubu betrayed me after spending all my wealth and emptying my bank account to campaign for him. The Tinubu I know today is not the same as the one I knew. We will convey this message that only Northerners can work with the Ijaw people.”
“Now we cannot work with the Yorubas; they have betrayed us. We risked our lives by voting and doing everything, and this is what we get?” he said.
Ahead of last year’s elections, the former militia leader had touted his long-standing relationship with Tinubu, saying his support for the latter was not for a federal office.
This shift in political alliance and Dokubo’s unexpected stance have sparked mixed reactions and confusion among political observers and activists. The key question is what impact this could have on Nigeria’s political landscape and future elections.
Ultimately, political alliances are often complex and prone to unexpected twists and turns. The story of Dokubo and Tinubu perfectly illustrates the volatility of political relationships, as well as the challenges political actors face in an ever-changing political landscape.