By-elections: Pro-Tinubu Group Asks President to Sack Defence Minister, Others, Gives Reason

• A pro-Tinubu group, the Asiwaju Network, has urged President Bola Tinubu to sack underperforming ministers following the APC’s poor outing in some polling units in recent bye-elections
• The group accused some cabinet members, including Defence Minister Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, of showing weak political influence in their home states
• They commended loyal grassroots supporters and urged Tinubu to initiate a cabinet reshuffle to reward competence and strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 elections

Abuja, FCT - A support group loyal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for the dismissal of ministers it described as underperforming after the ruling party recorded disappointing results in some areas during last weekend’s bye-elections.

The Asiwaju Network urged President Tinubu to immediately remove cabinet members who “failed to deliver political value” and replace them with figures capable of strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 18, in Abuja, group president Musa Ibrahim Dandoka said the bye-election results had “exposed the political weaknesses” of certain ministers entrusted with sensitive national roles.

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Among those the group singled out was Defence Minister Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, a former governor of Jigawa state, who it said recorded an underwhelming performance in his home base.

“This setback is both embarrassing and unacceptable. A minister who cannot demonstrate sufficient political strength in his ward cannot claim to possess the capital required to defend the APC or promote the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Dandoka said.

Ministers accused of disconnect with grassroots

The group added that some ministers from Jigawa and Enugu also failed to mobilise support effectively, describing the trend as a worrying signal of disconnect between parts of the cabinet and the grassroots.

“Ministers are not merely technocrats. They are political leaders of the party in their states and zones. If they cannot hold their homes together, then they do not deserve to hold on to strategic national offices,” the statement read.

Dandoka said Tinubu’s reform agenda needed to be matched with stronger political consolidation, warning that keeping non-performing ministers could embolden the opposition and weaken the morale of APC supporters.

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“President Tinubu has been bold with tough decisions on subsidy reforms, the economy, and security. Nigerians are beginning to see the fruits of those reforms. But he must also be bold enough to reshuffle his cabinet,” he added.

Group praises loyal party members

The Asiwaju Network commended APC supporters in Jigawa and Enugu who it said defied intimidation and defended the party’s relevance despite leadership setbacks.

“These grassroots soldiers of democracy must never be taken for granted,” Dandoka said.

The group urged Tinubu to act swiftly, arguing that a decisive cabinet reshuffle would send a strong signal that the government is committed to rewarding competence and accountability.

By-election: Defence minister wins polling unit

Though the group accused the defence minister of underwhelming performance in his home base during the by-election, Legit.ng notes that the APC secured victory at his polling unit.

There had been reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeated the ruling APC at Badaru's polling unit on Saturday, August 16.

However, Badaru's media aide, Mati Ali, said mischief makers mischievously linked the minister to PU 001 while his PU is 002.

Source: Legit.ng