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TSA Cries Out Over Post-Election Abandonment, Urges President Tinubu to Recognize Support Group’s Sacrifices
The Director General of the Tinubu Shettima Ambassadors (TSA), Prince Oladele Oyelude, has decried the post-election abandonment of the group by critical stakeholders in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Federal Government, despite the group’s pivotal role in the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2023 general elections.
Addressing journalists at a press conference on the state of the nation and the fate of the TSA, Oyelude expressed disappointment over what he described as the total neglect of the support group, which he said made significant contributions through grassroots mobilization, advocacy, and prayers that helped secure the APC’s landslide electoral victory.
“The Tinubu Shettima Ambassadors hereby decries her outright abandonment by critical stakeholders of the APC-led Federal Government of Nigeria despite our notable contributions,” Oyelude stated. “We were a critical part of the party’s landslide victory in the 2023 general election.”
Founded in 2022 as a support group under the aegis of the National Assembly Progressive Legislative Aides Forum, the TSA was created with a deep belief in the power of executive-legislative synergy to drive effective governance. According to Oyelude, the group had a robust nationwide structure with presence in all 774 Local Government Areas and worked tirelessly to promote the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Tinubu.
While commending the Tinubu administration for key policy decisions—such as the push for local government autonomy, tax reforms, the naira-for-crude deal, minimum wage increase, NYSC allowance boost, the creation of regional development commissions, and the establishment of the Ministries of Regional and Livestock Development—Oyelude emphasized that TSA has not been recognized or rewarded with any meaningful appointments.
“We have continued to use the strength of our numbers to preach the Renewed Hope agenda… but it has become pertinent to state our displeasure that despite our enormous support and unalloyed loyalty, TSA is yet to be considered for an appropriate placement in the scheme of things,” he lamented.
He paid tribute to Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East), the group’s patron, for his unwavering financial and moral support before, during, and after the elections, describing the lawmaker as a model progressive. Oyelude urged other party leaders to emulate Senator Musa’s example by supporting grassroots mobilization efforts and recognizing loyal support groups.
Despite what it termed “abandonment,” TSA has instructed its members across Nigeria not to yield to the advances of aggrieved APC members or defectors. The group also appealed to APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to encourage current political appointees—especially technocrats from abroad—to give back to the party’s support base and grassroots structures by engaging with credible groups.
“We appeal to the leadership of our great party… to reorient the current appointees that are not politically rooted. They must give back to the party by attaching at least one genuine support group to their MDAs to motivate party members,” Oyelude said.
With reports that President Tinubu is currently in France for reflection and strategic reviews, the TSA is urging the President to consider the group for appointments in line with his principles of fairness and reward for hard work.
“We are calling on him to, as a matter of justice and fairness, immediately consider the Tinubu Shettima Ambassadors in his series of appointments. This will not only reward good work but also encourage continued loyalty. When efforts are not rewarded in politics, it can lead to political depression,” Oyelude warned.
Concluding his address, the TSA Director General called on Nigerians who are yet to feel the impact of the Renewed Hope agenda to remain patient and hopeful, assuring that the Tinubu/Shettima administration is working relentlessly to resolve the country’s longstanding economic challenges.
Other leaders of the TSA also echoed the DG’s position, calling for recognition and reward of loyal grassroots workers.
Hon. Steven Adepoju, the National Youth Leader of the TSA, stressed the importance of acknowledging support groups as a vital component of the party’s structure.
“Why we are here today is to call the leadership of the party to make them recognise that support groups are part of the party. They are very important to the party because these are groups that penetrate the entire nation.
“It is necessary they are rewarded. There should be a reward system that encourages everyone to be part of the system and give a sense of belonging. As we move to the next elections, there is a need to carry the entire support groups along,” he said.
Also speaking, Comrade Adejoh Nasiru, the National Publicity Secretary of the TSA, emphasized that those who toiled to deliver the current administration must not be sidelined in governance.
“Those who genuinely contributed to the vision and ideals of President Bola Tinubu should be well rewarded. When they are carrying along technocrats to reform the nation, they should also carry along those who have worked for the present administration,” Nasiru said.