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The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, on Wednesday, revealed the circumstances that led to his removal as Sports Minister by former President Goodluck Jonathan in March 2014.
Abdullahi, who had earlier served as Minister of Youth Development and represented Kwara State at the Federal Executive Council, said his dismissal was tied to his refusal to publicly criticise former Senate President Bukola Saraki during a campaign in Kwara.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Abdullahi explained: “There is always a price to pay because you find yourself caught in between. You are being asked to take sides in a battle that you hardly understand most of the time.”
He recalled that pressure mounted on him to attack Saraki after the latter defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). “Why was I sacked? President Jonathan was going to Kwara to campaign, and that was when Saraki left the PDP to join the APC. I was expected, as the most senior political appointee from Kwara, to take over the PDP structure, fund it, and lead the President’s campaign. When we got to Kwara, everybody was attacking Saraki. I was expected as the most senior political office holder to also join in and attack Saraki, and I said no. So it was a matter of principle,” he said.
Asked if he regretted serving in Jonathan’s administration, Abdullahi replied that he did not, noting that he had anticipated being sacked for maintaining loyalty to Saraki while still respecting his relationship with Jonathan.
Abdullahi’s political career began under Saraki’s mentorship, serving as Special Assistant on Communication and later Special Adviser on Policy when Saraki was Kwara governor, before becoming Commissioner for Education.
His remarks came a day after the launch of his memoir, which documents his journey in public service, his rise under Saraki’s guidance, and the eventual breakdown of their political alignment.
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