Asari Dokubo, a former militant leader from the Niger Delta, has publicly accused President Bola Tinubu of betraying him after the recent 2023 elections in Nigeria.
In a video that has gone viral on social media, Dokubo expressed his deep disappointment, revealing that he had poured all his financial resources into campaigning for Tinubu.
He stated that he emptied his bank account and committed his full support to ensure the President’s electoral success, only to feel abandoned and disillusioned by Tinubu’s subsequent actions.
Dokubo emphasized that the current version of Tinubu is unrecognizable compared to the leader he once knew. He articulated his sentiments of betrayal, saying that after investing so much of himself—both emotionally and financially—he had hoped for a reciprocal relationship and support from the President. Instead, he feels sidelined and neglected.
In light of this perceived betrayal, Dokubo declared that he and his followers would no longer engage with the Yoruba people, with whom they previously had alliances. Instead, he announced his intention to forge new partnerships with northern groups, reflecting a strategic shift in his political affiliations. “From today, I will work and form alliances with the North,” Dokubo asserted in the video. He further explained that he believes the only viable collaboration for the Ijaw people lies with the Northerners, indicating a significant political realignment in the region.
Dokubo’s remarks signal a broader discontent among some political figures in the Niger Delta, as they reassess their alliances and strategies following the elections. His statements underscore the complexities of political loyalty in Nigeria, where financial support and alliances can swiftly shift based on perceived loyalty and betrayal. Asari Dokubo’s message, as he reiterated, is that “only the Northerners can work with the Ijaw people,” suggesting that he is ready to mobilize his community towards this new political direction.
