Author and public affairs commentator, Charles Omole, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is shaped by several informal power blocs, commonly referred to as cabals, naming prominent figures within government and the President’s inner circle as part of these groups.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Omole said the existence of such blocs was not unusual.
He also noted that every Nigerian president has governed with influential inner circles.
He however, warned that without strong institutions, such arrangements could lead to undue control of state power.
According to Omole, his assessment of the current administration suggests the presence of at least five distinct groups influencing decision-making within the presidency.
He claimed that one of the blocs is led directly by President Tinubu himself.
He further identified another group centred around the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, which he said includes the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Omole also pointed to a separate bloc linked to Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, describing it as a circle made up of individuals who benefited from his support in securing government appointments.
In addition, he mentioned a group associated with the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The author made the remarks shortly after the public presentation of his book, From Soldier to Statesman – The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja.
Drawing parallels with the previous administration, Omole claimed that unelected power brokers also played a significant role during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
He alleged that Buhari’s media exposure was at some point managed by close aides, including claims that tailored newspaper content was presented to the former president to shape his perception of events.
Buhari served as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.
The former leader, who hailed from Katsina State, passed away in London on July 13 at the age of 82.
