Tinubu Surrounded by ‘Second-Class People,’ Not Getting Right Advice — Osinbajo’s Ex-Aide Laolu Akande

Former presidential spokesman Laolu Akande has launched a sharp criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership circle, accusing the Nigerian leader of surrounding himself with what he described as “second-class” and “low-level” individuals who are failing to offer quality advice on governance and national security.

Akande, who served as media aide to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise programme on Thursday.

According to him, one of the biggest problems facing the current administration is the quality of people advising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu behind closed doors.

“The kind of people a leader or the president surrounds himself with, I have said this several times, that one of the problems with our president today is that he has managed to surround himself with second-class, third-class, low-level people,” Akande said during the interview.

He argued that the consequence of such leadership choices is poor decision-making and distractions from more pressing national concerns, particularly insecurity and criminality.

Akande stressed that the focus of government should not be political rivalries or media attacks from opposition figures but rather the enforcement of law and order across the country.

“And that is the problem because he is not getting the kind of counsel he needs,” he added.

The former presidential spokesman also insisted that criminal acts should be treated strictly as security issues regardless of who is involved politically, maintaining that the Nigerian state has a responsibility to identify offenders and ensure justice is served.

He further reminded the president of the weight of his constitutional role as Commander-In-Chief, saying the office comes with the responsibility to decisively tackle threats to national security.

“There is a reason why that title is fixed to the president, the Commander-In-Chief; there shouldn’t be anybody that the president can’t tackle for the security of the country,” Akande stated.

He concluded by urging Tinubu to rise to the demands of leadership, insisting that the president possesses enough political and governance experience to address the country’s growing security challenges effectively.

The comments add to mounting criticism from opposition figures and former government insiders over insecurity, governance style, and political direction ahead of increasing 2027 election conversations.