Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has disclosed that he was removed as a minister in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan for refusing to publicly attack former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, during a political campaign in Kwara State.
Abdullahi made the revelation on Tuesday in Abuja at the public presentation of his memoir, The Loyalist: A Memoir of Service and Sacrifice.
A former Minister of Youth Development and later Sports, Abdullahi was relieved of his appointment in March 2014, shortly after Saraki defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recounting the events that led to his dismissal, Abdullahi said he was expected to lead President Jonathan’s campaign in Kwara State as the most senior PDP official from the state at the time. However, he declined to join other party leaders who mounted the stage to attack Saraki.
“Everyone who climbed the stage made it their duty to abuse Dr Saraki. As the minister from Kwara, I was expected to lead the attack, but I didn’t,” he said.
Abdullahi, who previously served Saraki as a special assistant on communications, special adviser on policy and commissioner for education during his tenure as governor of Kwara State, said he could not be part of a political attack against someone who had not wronged him.
“Dr Saraki has been my benefactor. He has not offended me. I was not going to be enrolled in a fight that was not mine,” he said.
He alleged that his refusal attracted internal pressure within the Jonathan administration, with some governors accusing him of being an APC sympathiser and calling for his removal.
Although concerns over preparations for the 2014 World Cup reportedly delayed the decision, Abdullahi said he was certain his exit was imminent.
“I told my wife and my aides that I was going to be sacked, and eventually, I was,” he said.
According to him, he was on official duty in London when messages began to come in confirming his removal from office.
Abdullahi also revealed that he began writing his memoir in 2019, initially titled In the Shadow of the Godfather, to document how loyalty and political relationships influenced his public service career, particularly his long-standing association with Saraki.
The book launch was attended by several prominent political figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, ADC National Chairman David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Kayode Fayemi, Emeka Ihedioha and Rotimi Amaechi.
