Former Niger Delta militant leader and once-ardent supporter of President Bola Tinubu, Asari Dokubo, has announced plans to align with Nigeria’s Northern region, declaring an end to his support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a series of videos, Dokubo accused Tinubu of betrayal despite his efforts in securing votes during the 2023 presidential race.
“I spent all my money and emptied my bank account campaigning for him,” Dokubo claimed in the video. “The Tinubu I know now isn’t the Tinubu I used to know. We risked our lives by voting and doing everything, and this is what we get?”
Dokubo, addressing his followers, recalled his past endorsement of Tinubu, telling Nigerians to “hold me accountable if Tinubu failed.” He added, “From today, I will work and form an alliance with the North. President Tinubu betrayed me… only the Northerners can work with the Ijaw people. We can’t work with Yoruba people; they are a betrayal to us.”
This comes amidst rising tensions, as Nigeria’s military recently responded to Dokubo’s provocative comments about its strength. Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, challenged Dokubo to test his claims on the battlefield, warning that the military would “neutralize” any threat from the ex-militant leader.
“We won’t allow anyone to undermine national security,” Gen. Buba declared, encouraging security agencies to address Dokubo’s assertions.
