Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has provided a detailed account of his dismissal from the Federal Executive Council in March 2014, attributing it to his refusal to participate in the political "assassination" of his mentor, former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Abdullahi who now serves as the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) revealed that his removal by former President Goodluck Jonathan was a matter of principle. The tension began when Saraki led a high-profile defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC).

As the most senior political appointee from Kwara State at the time, Abdullahi was expected to lead the PDP's offensive against Saraki during the President's campaign visit to Ilorin. However, he declined to climb the podium to publicly criticise the man who had headhunted him into public service.

"I was expected to take over the PDP structure, fund it, and lead the President's campaign," Abdullahi explained. "When we got to Kwara, everybody was attacking Saraki. I was expected to join in, and I said no. It was a matter of principle. I would not be enrolled in a fight that was not mine."

The former minister, who recently presented his memoir titled The Loyalist, noted that he had anticipated his sack and even warned his family and aides before the news became official. Despite the loss of his position, he maintained that he harbours no regrets, describing the experience as the "price of loyalty."

Abdullahi's reflections offer a rare glimpse into the intense pressures faced by technocrats in the Nigerian political space, where personal loyalty often clashes with executive expectations.

"Why was I sacked? President Jonathan was going to Kwara to campaign and that was the time Saraki left the PDP to join the APC."

"I was expected as the most senior political appointee from Kwara to take over the PDP structure, fund it and lead the President's campaign," Abdullahi said.

According to him, the political atmosphere in Kwara was largely defined by sustained attacks on Saraki, with intense pressure on him to participate.

"When we got to Kwara, everybody was attacking Saraki. I was expected as the most senior political office holder to also join and attack Saraki and I said no. So it was a matter of principle," he added.

Despite losing his position, Abdullahi said he had no regrets about serving in the Jonathan administration, noting that he had anticipated the consequences of his decision to remain loyal to Saraki while still working under the President.

He also recalled that he previously served Saraki as Special Assistant on Communications, Special Adviser on Policy, and later as Commissioner for Education in Kwara State during Saraki's tenure as governor.