Zainab Buba Galadima, who recently stepped down from her role as a special adviser to Vice President Kashim Shettima, has stated that while President Bola Tinubu retains the political loyalty of most state governors, his administration has failed to connect with the ordinary Nigerian populace.
Galadima made the remarks during an interview on a national television program monitored by Prime Brief Media. Her resignation and subsequent comments have fueled speculation about growing internal discontent within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
"Structurally, the President has the governors. That is the reality of Nigerian politics. But if we are being honest, the sentiment on the streets is different. The masses are struggling. They are hungry, they are scared, and they do not feel the government is listening," Galadima said.
She emphasized that her resignation was based on personal conviction and a desire to focus on grassroots mobilization rather than a personal rift with the Vice President or the President. However, political analysts interpret her statement as a significant indicator of the challenge the APC faces in convincing voters that its policies are yielding positive results.
The Presidency has yet to officially react to Galadima's assertions. The APC, however, dismissed the comments as the personal opinion of a former staffer and insisted that President Tinubu's reforms are designed to secure long-term national prosperity.
Zainab Buba Galadima is a well-known political figure in the Northeast and a member of a prominent political family. Her departure from the Vice President's office has triggered discussions about the cohesion of the ruling party's support base ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 election.
