Akande: Tinubu has surrounded himself with second- and third-rate individuals.

Political commentator and former presidential spokesperson, Laolu Akande, has raised significant concerns regarding the advisory network surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suggesting it may not be robust enough to guide the administration effectively. During a revealing interview on Channels Television on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Akande articulated his perspective on the critical issues plaguing the Tinubu administration, highlighting the importance of the individuals placed in influential positions around the President.

Akande contends that effective leadership is fundamentally reliant not only on a leader’s personal abilities but also on the expertise and competence of their advisory team. This assertion underscores a pivotal aspect of governance: the quality of counsel that a president receives can directly influence the efficacy of their decisions, especially in tackling urgent national concerns such as economic instability, security threats, and the pervasive challenges in governance.

As he delved deeper into the topic, Akande suggested that President Tinubu may be at a disadvantage due to the profile of advisers he has chosen to surround himself with. He expressed apprehension that these individuals may lack the necessary qualifications or the independent thinking required to provide the sound advice that is crucial for navigating the complexities of statecraft. Akande was clear in his warning that ineffective decision-making nurtured by a weakened advisory framework could have detrimental effects on the overall governance of Nigeria.

He stated emphatically, “One of the problems of Tinubu today is that he has managed to surround himself with second and third-class kind of people, and that is a problem because he’s not getting the kind of counsel that he needs.” This striking comment has only fueled the ongoing national discourse concerning the performance of the current administration and raised critical questions about the effectiveness of the President’s inner circle.

Akande’s observations serve as a crucial reminder that strong leadership is intrinsically linked to access to quality counsel. He insists that the individuals who are closest to a leader can significantly influence an administration’s trajectory—whether it leads to triumphs or failures. As citizens look on, the implications of Akande’s comments echo through the political landscape, motivating discussions about the necessary reforms in the advisory structure to ensure that Nigeria’s leadership is equipped to meet its multifaceted challenges head-on.

For those interested, you can check out the full interview to see these thoughts discussed in greater detail by watching the video from stamp time 6:12 to 6:32.

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