‘Tin God’ Politics? ADC Chieftain Warns Governors Against Overreliance on Tinubu for Political Survival!

Reported by Mustapha Omolabake Omowumi (Journalist) | Sele Media Africa

In a candid critique that is reverberating across Nigeria’s political landscape, Dr. Ladan Salihu, a senior chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has warned state governors against treating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “tin god.” Salihu argued that political leaders who abandon their original parties to align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in search of political survival risk compromising democratic principles and undermining the trust of their constituents.

Speaking on Monday during an appearance on The Morning Show broadcast by Arise Television, Salihu, a former Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), highlighted the surge in high-profile defections ahead of the 2027 general elections. His remarks foreground the growing tension between personal political calculus and public accountability, a dynamic increasingly shaping the country’s electoral environment.

Governors and the ‘Tin God’ Narrative
At the heart of Salihu’s critique is a concern that several governors are abandoning the parties under which they were elected most notably the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in favor of the APC, often in ways that appear driven more by self-preservation than policy consistency. “Why should a governor rush out of the party under which he won convincingly to join a ruling party? The answer is simple: governors tend to forget,” Salihu noted.

He warned that some political actors now view President Tinubu as a symbolic guarantor of political continuity rather than focusing on the democratic mandate conferred by the electorate. “They have now adopted President Bola Tinubu as their own tin god,” Salihu said, cautioning that such reliance neither ensures electoral victory nor reflects political integrity.

Shifting Political Alignments
Nigeria has witnessed a notable increase in political realignments over the past year. Most recently, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal formally exited the PDP for the APC, raising the ruling party’s total number of governors to 31. Earlier defections this year included Abba Yusuf of Kano State and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, moves critics interpret as consolidating APC dominance. Rumors continue to circulate about other prominent figures, such as Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State Governor and chair of the PDP Governors’ Forum, contemplating similar switches.

Political analysts suggest these developments indicate a broader strategic recalibration among officeholders as they prepare for the 2027 elections. While many cite strategic alignment with the federal government and access to resources as justification, critics argue that such motivations often neglect long-term governance responsibilities and undermine institutional stability.

Historical Precedents and Strategic Lessons
Salihu referenced past elections to illustrate that party alignment with the ruling government does not automatically translate into national electoral success. He pointed out that the PDP, despite commanding significant governorships in previous cycles, has lost national elections, challenging the assumption that political survival hinges on proximity to the presidency.

This trend raises broader questions about political opportunism in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, where elite negotiations often dictate party loyalty rather than ideological commitment. Social and traditional media discourse highlights public concern over incentives linked to federal patronage systems and governance capture.

Opposition Perspectives and Democratic Accountability
For the ADC, Salihu’s critique forms part of a larger conversation on strengthening democratic accountability and emphasizing citizen-focused governance over transactional politics. The party has increasingly positioned itself as a platform for alternative voices, including high-profile figures such as Peter Obi, who previously defected from the Labour Party and remains a potential presidential contender for 2027 under the ADC umbrella.

While it remains uncertain whether Salihu’s admonitions will influence political decision-making on a wide scale, they underscore a growing tension in Nigeria’s political class: the need to balance pragmatic alliances with the democratic expectations of a citizenry frustrated by perceived opportunism and political expediency.

Sources
Punch Nigeria: Govs treating Tinubu as ‘tin God’ for political survival , ADC chieftain

Daily Post Nigeria: Governors see Tinubu as ‘tin god’ who’ll secure their future – ADC’s Salihu

The Trumpet Nigeria: ADC Chieftain criticises Governors defecting to APC, says relying on Tinubu is no guarantee of political survival

Mustapha Labake Omowumi

Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.

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