Presidential Aide Slams Pat Utomi: ‘You Call Tinubu a Tyrant When You Don’t Get Your Way

Presidential Media Aide Fires Back at Pat Utomi Over Tinubu Criticism

Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, has rebuked former presidential candidate Pat Utomi for his recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

This comes after the Department of State Services (DSS) filed a lawsuit against Utomi, accusing him of attempting to subvert constitutional authority by allegedly forming a “shadow government” to undermine President Tinubu.

In a post on his account on Friday, May 16, 2025, Ajayi recalled that Utomi once sought Tinubu’s support—both endorsement and financial backing—in his bid to become the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Delta State.

Ajayi stated that critics only label Tinubu a tyrant when their personal ambitions are unmet.

He wrote:
“Every four years, ahead of elections, @UtomiPat surfaces with one grand illusion or mega coalition that ends up as a mirage. This time it’s the ‘Big Tent Shadow Government.’ The same man now attacking President Tinubu once sought his support to become APC governorship candidate in Delta. Tinubu only becomes a tyrant when people can’t get what they want from him.”

Meanwhile, political commentator Laolu Akande has urged the DSS to redirect its focus to more pressing national concerns instead of pursuing Utomi.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Akande downplayed the alleged shadow government, describing it as a benign political expression rather than a threat to national security.

“My advice to the DSS is: don’t stress over this. There are more urgent national security issues. Let Utomi be; he’s just having political fun,” Akande said.