Atiku’s Aide Accuses Kwankwaso of Playing Both Sides With Tinubu

The Senior Political Assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarenwaju, on Saturday faulted former NNPP presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying he cannot “flirt with the opposition by day and romance President Bola Tinubu by night.”

Naija News reports that Olarenwaju’s comments were made in a post shared on , where he challenged Kwankwaso and other opposition figures to quit what he described as political indecision and take a clear stand for alternative politics in Nigeria.

Olarenwaju said Kwankwaso should follow the example of opponents who took bold steps to realign Nigeria’s political landscape, including Atiku, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai, ex‑Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, who all helped form the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“The likes of Kwankwaso and other tiptoeing ‘opposition’ leaders must show courage and make up their minds like Atiku, El‑Rufai, Amaechi, Aregbesola, Obi, etc., did to form the ADC coalition,” Olarenwaju wrote.

He also warned that mixed signals from opposition leaders fuel public distrust and internal political tensions.

“Flirting with the opposition by day and seducing Tinubu at night na why Fayose dey write exposé,” he added.

Olarenwaju said Kwankwaso missed an opportunity to build a strong political platform through the NNPP, comparing the situation to how his Second Republic mentor, Aminu Kano, sustained the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) despite setbacks.

“Kwankwaso could have nurtured NNPP from Kano State as his Second Republic mentor, Aminu Kano, did with PRP… even after Balarabe Musa was impeached and Abubakar Rimi resigned and defected to NPP,” he said.

The Atiku aide also criticised Kwankwaso for allegedly creating a pathway for Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf to leave the NNPP for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“By negotiating with the APC at all, RMK opened the door for Abba Yusuf to join the APC,” Olarenwaju said, using Kwankwaso’s initials.

He urged political leaders to avoid what he called self‑interested discussions with the presidency.

“Anybody still going to Aso Rock to hold discussions with Tinubu at this point is only looking out for themselves and not the Nigerian people,” he added.

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