President Tinubu reportedly bars Asari Dokubo from visiting Aso Rock

President Tinubu has taken the step of prohibiting former leaders of Niger Delta militant groups from visiting him at the presidential villa in Abuja.

According to Leadership magazine, this decision was made following a visit by Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo, the leader of the now-defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), on June 16, 2023.

Sources reveal that President Tinubu was concerned about the public statements and actions of Asari-Dokubo following their meeting. The President was troubled that Asari-Dokubo’s verbal attacks and militant activities in the Niger Delta region were subsequently associated with him after their encounter in June.

It’s worth recalling that after meeting President Tinubu, Asari-Dokubo spoke to State House reporters, directing accusations at the Armed Forces. He alleged that military personnel were deeply involved in economic sabotage, specifically crude oil theft and the sabotage of oil infrastructure in the region. This allegation reportedly shocked and embarrassed President Tinubu, especially because it was made right after their meeting.

Sources from within the presidency claim that Asari-Dokubo’s outspoken criticism of the military while at the villa led to speculation that the President shared similar viewpoints with the prominent former militant leader. These sources assert that President Tinubu was also affected by the backlash from notable figures within Nigeria, who criticized him for Asari-Dokubo’s statements and actions, particularly the display of armed youths in Rivers State.

As a result, President Tinubu has reportedly decided to prevent ex-Niger Delta militant leaders from visiting him in the presidential villa as a way to distance himself from their controversial remarks and activities.

”Asari-Dokubo’s unacceptable conduct in the eyes of the presidency moved beyond tolerable level when he took on the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, threatening to deal with the chief executive of the oil-rich state. The presidency was said to be irked that his association with the president continued to give a wrong signal to the public that he enjoyed the support and backing of the nation’s number one citizen. Sources in the presidency say the president has ordered that he would no longer play host to the ex-militant commanders and militias in the villa apparently to forestall the negative impression and unenviable signal such association was likely to create in the psyche of the public.

“The president has given a directive that he would not like to meet any Niger Delta warlord or ethnic militia after the horrible experience when he granted an audience to Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo. You know the man Asari is a strong supporter and adherent of Mr. President. But the management of the fallout of his visit to the Villa was a nightmare to the Presidency.

You can recall that he came out of the president’s office to lampoon the Armed Forces, accusing its personnel of being the arrow heads of illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta. He has been seen arrogantly going about with many gun-wielding youths, boasting about the prowess of his private army to deal with constituted authorities, including the military and a sitting governor, precisely Rivers State Governor, Mr. Fubara.

Many Nigerians, who believed that his actions enjoyed the backing and support of Mr. President because of his closeness to him, have been pouring insults on Mr. President. It’s highly embarrassing and the Presidency decided that this mess has to stop. So, Mr. President will no longer allow these notable warlords, Asari- Dokubo would not be allowed into the Villa again to see him.”a source in the Presidency is quoted to have said