In a terse statement that has sent ripples through the opposition ranks, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Prof. Ozekhome reportedly warned Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, AGF Fagbemi, that he should consider resigning if President Bola Tinubu fails to heed a key political instruction. The remarks, said to have been made during a closed-door briefing at the National Assembly, sparked a flurry of speculation about intra‑party tensions and the future of the leadership coalition. #### A High‑Profile Warning According to sources close to the meeting, Ozekhome expressed frustration about concerns that Tinubu had shifted strategic priorities without consulting senior advisors. “If you’re not listening to President Tinubu, you might be better off stepping away,” Ozekhome said. “We need cohesion, and the system won’t survive if leadership is fractured.” AGF Fagbemi, who has served as a senior aide to the president for three years, reportedly responded by stating, “We’re all working under the same mandate, and the executive’s direction is unchallenged.” #### Reactions from Opposition and Allies The National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and the Action for People’s Progress (APP) denounced the statement as “unnecessary” and called for a “declaration of unity.” In contrast, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which had been quietly negotiating an alignment with the ruling coalition, said the warning could signal instability at executive level. “Such a public admonition is a sign of discord. We emphasize that we remain committed to constructive engagement with the administration,” said SDP spokesperson Halidu Bello. #### The Larger Context President Tinubu’s administration has faced numerous challenges, from job creation deficits to a rising cost of living. Critics have argued that his decision‑making processes sometimes disregard advice from senior officials. Meanwhile, some loyalty to Tinubu’s long‑standing political acumen remains strong among certain factions. Experts suggest that if rumors about the “resign if you don’t listen” line are true, it may precede an attempted purge of dissenting voices within the team—a tactic historically used by Nigerian leaders to keep their political teams aligned. #### Where to Go From Here As the political situation remains fluid, analysts advise careful observation of upcoming cabinet reshuffles and any statements from Olukoju, who serves as head of presidential policy. Meanwhile, commentators in Lagos and Abuja alike are monitoring social media for further spill‑over, noting that the phrase “if Tinubu doesn’t listen” could become a slogan for the upcoming National Conference scheduled for next month.