Former Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu has declared his exit from active partisan politics, citing alleged manipulation and the imposition of candidates during the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary.
Decision to Withdraw from Politics
Shittu, a lawyer and founding member of the APC, made the announcement during an interview on SYMFONI. He explained that his decision stemmed from what he described as a lack of internal democracy, widespread manipulation, and the forced imposition of preferred aspirants.
Allegations of Manipulation and Imposition
The former minister claimed that the governorship primary in his party had been predetermined, despite aspirants reportedly paying ₦50 million each for nomination forms. He said he was persuaded not to resign from his role as Pro‑Chancellor of a federal university after being told it was the wish of President Bola Tinubu, only to later discover that the outcome had already been settled in favour of another candidate.
Financial and Emotional Toll
Reflecting on his political journey, Shittu lamented that Nigerian politics demands enormous sacrifices, financial resources, and personal commitment, yet often leaves participants frustrated and disappointed. He questioned why aspirants would be asked to part with such large sums if the result had already been decided.
Turn to Islamic Dawah
Shittu stated that his recent experiences have convinced him to redirect his energy toward Islamic Dawah and religious activities, which he believes are “more rewarding spiritually and morally.” He added that even a quarter of the effort invested in politics, if directed toward God’s work, would yield far greater compensation.
Warning for the Party
He warned that the dissatisfaction generated by the primaries could create long‑term problems for the APC ahead of future elections, noting that continued unfair practices would alienate many party members and affect the party’s fortunes.
Electoral Act Constraints
Shittu also pointed out that provisions of the Electoral Act have left many aggrieved aspirants politically trapped, as participation in party primaries now prevents them from defecting to other parties to pursue the same offices.
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