A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for running a centralized administration that hinders his appointees from performing effectively.
Gists9ja reports that Sowunmi dismissed claims of a cabal within Tinubu’s government, arguing instead that the president operates as the sole decision-maker, limiting the autonomy and effectiveness of his team.
Speaking during an interview with TVC on Tuesday, the former Ogun State PDP governorship candidate stated that Tinubu’s approach has created a governance structure where responsibilities are neither delegated nor executed independently. He specifically mentioned the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, alleging that Tinubu has undermined Gbajabiamila’s ability to perform his duties effectively.
Sowunmi explained:
“The problem with the Bola Tinubu presidency is not about a cabal. The issue is that Tinubu has structured his government in a way that prevents those he appointed from fully carrying out their responsibilities. For example, his Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila, isn’t allowed to handle the role as effectively as he could. Tinubu has made everything revolve around himself, which means nobody else can take responsibility—or blame—for any failures.”
He added that previous presidents allowed their chiefs of staff to wield significant influence, creating a balance of power within the presidency. “In the past, leaders allowed their chiefs of staff to be strong. Even when there were complaints, the president could deflect, saying, ‘Don’t mind the Chief of Staff, I’ll handle it.’ But Tinubu isn’t doing that; he’s made himself the sole operator, and that’s risky.”
Sowunmi cautioned that this centralized approach could lead to governance challenges, urging the president to empower his team before the situation worsens. He concluded by appealing to the Yoruba people to address the issues within Tinubu’s administration before they spiral out of control.
