The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has revealed that he was removed from office as a minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan because he refused to publicly attack former Senate President Bukola Saraki during a political campaign in Kwara State.
Abdullahi made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja during the public presentation of his memoir, The Loyalist: A Memoir of Service and Sacrifice. He said he was fully aware at the time that his decision would likely cost him his position in government.
Abdullahi served as Minister of Youth Development and later as Minister of Sports in Jonathan’s administration. He was relieved of his appointment in March 2014, a decision that, according to him, was directly linked to events that occurred during a presidential campaign rally in Kwara State.
He explained that the incident happened shortly after Saraki, who was then Governor of Kwara State, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC). At the time, Abdullahi remained a member of the PDP and was serving in the federal cabinet.
According to Abdullahi, Saraki’s defection automatically made him the highest-ranking PDP political office holder in Kwara State. As a serving minister from the state, he was expected to lead and coordinate President Jonathan’s campaign activities during the visit.
He recalled that during the rally, several speakers, including sitting governors, took turns attacking Saraki and portraying him negatively. Abdullahi said there was an expectation that he would also climb the stage and join in the attacks as part of his role in the campaign.
However, he said he refused to do so, insisting that he would not engage in personal attacks against someone who had not wronged him. Abdullahi noted that Saraki had been his political benefactor and mentor, and he could not betray that relationship for political convenience.
He explained that his refusal immediately put him at odds with powerful figures within the ruling party. According to him, some party leaders interpreted his action as disloyalty to President Jonathan and the PDP.
Abdullahi recounted that one of the governors present at the rally openly pushed for his dismissal, accusing him of being an APC sympathiser within the government. He said the argument was that no minister loyal to the president would refuse to lead a campaign against an opposition figure.
He said former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke attempted to intervene on his behalf. According to Abdullahi, Imoke appealed to President Jonathan, warning that removing him at the time could negatively affect preparations for the upcoming World Cup.
Despite the intervention, Abdullahi said other voices within the party dismissed the concern and insisted that he could be fired regardless. He said it was made clear to him that his fate had effectively been sealed.
Abdullahi said he understood the implications of his decision almost immediately. He revealed that he told his wife and aides ahead of time that he was likely going to lose his job because he refused to participate in the attacks on Saraki.
He stressed that his decision was guided by principle rather than political calculation. According to him, just as he would have refused to attack President Jonathan if Saraki had demanded it, he could not be compelled to attack Saraki to satisfy party interests.
He said he believed strongly that he should not be drawn into political fights that were not his own. Abdullahi added that loyalty and personal integrity mattered more to him than holding onto a political appointment.
The former minister said he was on an official engagement in London shortly after the campaign when he began receiving messages indicating that he had been sacked. He later confirmed that his appointment had been terminated.
While giving a vote of thanks at the book presentation, Abdullahi revealed that he began writing his memoir in 2019. He said the book chronicles his political journey and the evolution of personal relationships during his years working closely with Saraki.
He disclosed that the book was originally titled In the Shadow of the Godfather, reflecting his long association with Saraki. He said the memoir offers insight into the complexities of loyalty, power, and sacrifice in Nigerian politics.
Abdullahi said his experience highlights the difficult choices public officials often face when personal values clash with political expectations. He added that his dismissal remains one of the defining moments of his career in public service.
