Renowned political scientist and governance expert, Professor Peter Akinyemi, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as “a courageous and long-overdue move” following the resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during a policy forum on Saturday in Abuja, Professor Akinyemi stated that the development was in line with a warning he issued over a year ago, urging the President to distance himself from what he called “two heavy political baggages” if he hoped to succeed in the 2027 elections.
“Tinubu has done what I predicted a year ago,” Akinyemi declared.
“He has cleared one, and it’s remaining the second baggage which is the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.”
According to him, Ganduje’s leadership had become a major liability to the APC due to the weight of public perception, lingering corruption allegations, and the internal unrest his chairmanship triggered within the party.
“Ganduje became a symbol of everything Nigerians were complaining about ranging from impunity, lack of accountability, and godfatherism,” Akinyemi added.
While applauding Tinubu for acting decisively, the professor insisted that Senate President Godswill Akpabio now stands as the next major hurdle. “As long as Akpabio remains the Senate President, the reform process will remain incomplete. Nigerians want clean hands at the top. The APC must not appear to be rewarding controversy with power,” he said.
He urged the President to prioritize legacy over loyalty, noting that history favours leaders who take bold decisions in the interest of national redemption.
“This is not about personal vendetta; it’s about the future of Nigeria’s democracy. The President must be seen leading a team of credible, competent and controversy-free individuals,” Akinyemi emphasised.