Author and public affairs commentator, Charles Omole, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is influenced by multiple cabals, naming the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, as key figures within these groups.
Omole made the assertion on Thursday while speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme. According to him, the existence of cabals around Nigerian presidents is not new, stressing that every administration has had similar power blocs.
“The president will always have people around him,” Omole said. “But systems must be put in place to prevent state capture or presidential capture. From my analysis, the current administration has at least five cabals within the presidency.”
He further claimed that one of the cabals is headed by President Tinubu himself, based on his personal assessment of the power structure within the government.
Explaining further, Omole said one group is centred around the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and includes influential figures such as FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. He added that another group revolves around Seyi Tinubu and consists of individuals who allegedly benefited from appointments facilitated by him.
Omole also identified a group linked to the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, as part of the power blocs operating within the administration.
The author spoke shortly after the unveiling of his book, From Soldier to Statesman – The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja. Reflecting on the previous administration, he claimed that cabals around former President Muhammadu Buhari influenced key aspects of governance, including the management of the late president’s health routine.
Omole alleged that while Buhari enjoyed reading newspapers, there were reports suggesting that individuals close to him curated special versions containing stories they wanted him to see.
